This mixed media painting by Abi Baikie is part of a series inspired by her travels to Asia. Abi creates her artworks mainly on board or wood using screen printed patterns, layered with stencilled motifs and hand painted imagery in oils. “Phteah, the Khmer word for home. I created this piece with several symbols that relate to the home in Cambodia. The houses there, especially in rural Cambodia, are just beautiful. They are so simply built and yet convey strength and originality.” Abi Baikie Abi originally gave up her job in the UK to work for an NGO teaching art to children in Cambodia. She had no idea how much this trip would mean in terms of helping her to reconnect with her creativity and inspired her to create whole new body of work. “My travels to Asia inspired my current style, embracing strong colours and striking patterns, imitating the vibrancy and bustle that first hits you in countries like Cambodia and India. I work with a range of media and use various techniques such as screen-print, oil painting, stencils and spray-paints. I often begin with bold, striking backgrounds then select individual objects to oil paint on top, which are selected from my own photographs I take during my travels. These objects give a human aspect to the work, something the viewer can relate to, something familiar. However, they are often unusual or slightly abstract so they cannot be placed entirely and maintain a little unfamiliarity and curiosity.” Abi Baikie