‘True escapism is considered unhealthy and the ultimate destruction of one’s self. Art is my escapism. I am the figure in the sometimes over populated landscape or the barren beachscape contemplating my existence. My paintings are a metaphor for my life; battling with the urban herds, pursuing horizons while seeking autonomy and freedom. I’m here for a purpose, I will have wasted my life if I hadn’t pursued my passion. I pray the universe gives me the time and the mind to accomplish all my dreams.’ Andrew Baines, artist. Represented by leading commercial galleries in Australia and overseas, Andrew has gained considerable international recognition for his trademark surreal installations and inspired paintings, where he puts politicians, orchestras, live cows or hundreds of suited volunteers in the sea and on beaches for photo shoots. A finalist in over 20 art prizes, most notably, twice in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, his paintings are in collections of ANZ Bank, Singapore, The Australian Embassy in Rome, Italy, Government House SA and United Nations Association of Australia. Included in the European encyclopaedia of surrealism, ‘Lexikon der Surrealisten’, as well as the Portuguese book on surrealism ‘International Surrealism Now’, Andrew has collaborated with many organisations and luminaries to bring his projects to fruition, including the West Australian & Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, United Nations Association of Australia, Holstein Australia, Hills Holdings, the Sydney Daily Telegraph, State Gallery of WA, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Former Ambassador Alexander Downer and The Hon. Amanda Vanstone.