In JJ Baker’s first solo exhibition, everyday objects are transformed through his use of oil paint on found materials. By reimagining items often overlooked or discarded, Baker invites us to reconsider how we assign value and to notice beauty in unexpected places—shifting how we see the ordinary.

Originally from Cincinnati, JJ Baker spent 5 years in Houston as a high school art teacher and artist before pursuing his MFA through the Alfred-Düsseldorf Painting Program. Now working and teaching out of state, he returns to present his first solo exhibition, Closer Than They Appear, at Monterroso Gallery from May 24 to July 5, 2025.