Jonathan Gerardo Méndez Baute
Jonathan Gerardo Méndez Baute (born 1972) is an Australian artist and designer living in Melbourne. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, he specialises in sculpting (Stoneware and Polymer clay), drawing and illustration. As a graphic designer he has worked in publications and corporate branding.
Work in Progress, Stoneware
Still, Earthenware
Goliath's Dream, Stoneware, water based enamel
Jonathan began studying Art & Design at the prestigious Instituto de Diseño Newmann-Ince in Caracas. After emigrating to the United States he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from the Sacramento State University in California USA in May 2002.
In 2012, after spending years living between United States, Switzerland and New Zealand, Jonathan immigrated to Australia with his wife, daughter, and son.
Jonathan describes himself as a self-taught sculptor. His sculptures are highly influenced by the works of American artist and author Stephen Kaltenbach, and by the late Colombian born artist and sculptor Fernando Botero. His design and sculpture work are also inspired by the German Staatliche's Bauhaus Movement.
Short Pose 2, Pencil on paper
Short Pose 1, Pencil on paper
Jonathan’s work reflects his interest in Anatomy.
'Before I approach any subject for sculpting, I like to hand-draw all elements of it. That way I familiarise myself with all shapes and angles contained within the subject. I walk my mind through the spaces by drawing these in detail and then I am ready to sculpt.'
Jonathan’s sculpture work is part of the Victorian Collections.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design, USA
AWARDS
2024 First Prize Sculpture – Victorian Artists Society, Australia
2015 Third Prize Winner - Wyndham Art Prize, Australia
2002 Best in Show & Gold Medal – American Advertising Awards (ADDY - Sacramento), USA
2002 Silver Medal - American Advertising Awards (ADDY - Sacramento), USA
2002 Best in Show – Sacramento State University Spring Show, US
EXHIBITIONS
2024 George Hicks Foundation Contemporary Exhibition – Victorian Artists Society Awarded First Prize Sculpture
2019 Annual and Awards Exhibition – Association of Sculptors of Victoria
2018 Local – Wyndham Art Gallery Solo Sculpture Show together with Point Cook Photographer Robert Young 2015 Wyndham Art Prize – Wyndham Art Gallery Awarded Third Place
2013 Annual and Awards Exhibition – Association of Sculptors of Victoria
PRESS RELEASE
Decade: Wyndham Art Gallery 2011-21 (2022). Werribee Victoria: Wyndham Art Gallery.
Jimjin (2018) When worlds collide: Local, Wyndham. Available at: https://wyndham.starweekly.com.au/news/when-worlds-collide-local/ (Accessed: 13 March 2024).
Gardner, B. and Fishel, C.M. (2004) Logolounge 2: 2,000 international identities by leading designers. Gloucester, MA: Rockport.
Works by Jonathan Gerardo Méndez Baute
Acknowledgment of traditional owners.
We would like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land on which our building stands, their leaders, past, present and emerging.