"Matthew (M.E. Baird) takes a unique approach in his lectures, combining deep wisdom with engaging storytelling. He often begins with Philosophy and Literature, using them to frame his exploration of various art movements and subjects—something AI and internet searches can't replicate. Infusing his lectures with dark wit and unexpected insights, he dynamically delivers them, making the experience both informative and entertaining."
M.E. Baird began his studies in fine arts at Frankston Technical College, although he did not complete the program. He later pursued a degree in Landscape Architecture at RMIT in Melbourne, where he also took additional courses in Architecture and Sculpture, and later earned a Master’s in Architecture.
For two decades, alongside his music and art practice, M.E. Baird held sessional academic and teaching roles at various art and design schools and universities in New South Wales and Victoria. His affiliations include RMIT University, UNSW-COFA, the UNSW Built Environment Department, the University of Sydney, and Deakin University. He has received several awards for teaching excellence. At Deakin University, his passion for creative thinking and process would land him an appointment as Creative and Teaching Scholar, assisting in the writing and delivery of evidence-based teaching methods for students studying design. This also includes the writing of several course outlines and content on the examination of creative philosophy, memory, and creative processes across various art forms, including art, design, architecture, film, music, and literature.
Although he is no longer engaged in full-time academic work, M.E. Baird is available for private lectures, presentations, and one-on-one mentoring. To be informed about upcoming lectures and presentations, click here to subscribe.
To host M.E. Baird for an event or mentoring, email us directly at: mebaird1@icloud.com
CURRENT SERIES OF LECTURES & PRESENTATIONS
- Feasting On the Substance of a Good Idea.
Part 1. What is creativity? What makes a good creative idea? Abstraction, ideas naked and absolute.
Part 2. How to generate a good idea. How to overcome that zone of despair when they don't come.
- Abstract Expressionism (The New York School).
From impulse to madness. A deep dive into one of modern Western art's most misunderstood, misappropriated, massed, mimicked and much maligned movements.
- Symbolism in Art
Symbols, Icons and Semiotics. An angel crashes to earth in Scandinavia while an Italian-Argentine Witch moves to Paris. Meanwhile, a traumatic scream can be heard from Oslo to Berlin.
- The Sublime, Romanticism and The Rise of The Modern Landscape [Painting}
The 'Sublime' in the context of art and philosophy represents one of the most impactful periods in Western landscape art. However, the movement under the umbrella of Romanticism would come to represent, on one hand, the origins of the 'self' in art, philosophy, music and literature. But would, on the other hand, inadvertently turbocharge the scourge of colonialism, genocide, industrialisation, capitalism, and a human-induced climate crisis. It even includes an evil villain in the form of a 15th-century Pope.
- The Art Of Listening (Interactive Workshop)
Drawing and mark-making are not only the very first forms of ‘recording’ for humanity, but are at the foundation of any art or creative practice, regardless of the medium or discipline. However, these practices and processes rely purely on the eye (observation), brain and hand connection. There are other ways of utilising drawing and the capacity to think at a deeper level, simply by including our ears and the process of listening. The method I employ uses drawing and or mark-making in response to compositions and audio-delivered text. These methods have been scientifically proven to allow different parts of the brain to be ‘switched on’ and stimulated, taking the intuitive thinking process to new and deeper levels.
