Anel Jean Baptiste Jr.

Our newest artist in residence, Anel Jean Baptiste Jr., was born in the year 1981. Though he was alive for most of the 80s, he didn't get to fully appreciate the era, being a young kid and all. Now, as an adult and an artist, Anel fancies himself an “80s correspondent”, a creative time traveler of sorts, bringing others back into his favorite bygone era for a hyper-detailed and eternally devoted tour through cancelled cartoons and discount furniture commercials.

Anel’s work spans drawing, video, sculpture, and puppetry. His trippy animations – which he makes at the Brooklyn Library – re-imagine forgotten sitcoms like Benson and Three’s A Crowd with new, wonky plotlines. (Anel voices all the characters himself.) His drawings immortalize lesser known 80s icons like Crazy Eddie in his electronics commercials with unmistakable likeness. And his sculptures are super lovable, if slightly off kilter, renderings of cartoon classics like The Smurfs and Monchichi. 

We are beyond thrilled to have Anel and his abundance of 80s pop culture wisdom with us throughout these next steamy summer months. The Brooklyn native is excited to share his love of the past with the Summertime community, and perhaps visit a classic steakhouse in the process. Read on for a short interview with the 80s king himself. 

Hi Anel! What does it mean to be an ‘80s Correspondent’? 

It means I will get to know some part of the decade better than before. 

Why do you love the 80s? 

I love the 80s because of the nice beats and the celebrity get-togethers.

Who are some of the most overlooked superstars of the 80s? 

Mr. T, Nell Carter, the Coronet Brothers from the Juvenile Discount Furniture TV ads for kids. Also the Smurfs! 

What are some of your favorite lost places from 1980s New York? 

The bowling alley in the Crown Heights area between Winthrop and Parkside Avenue. They used to have three different gas stations on New York Avenue: Getty, Amaco, and Gulf.

Who are some of your favorite 80s cartoon characters?

The Chipmunks, The Get Along Gang, The Littles, The Star Wars Droids R2D2 and C3PO and even several more that I love and am comfortable with.

What are you most excited about for your Summertime residency?
I want to achieve my dream as a superstar Hollywood type artist.

This residency is generously supported by The New York Community Trust, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and New York Department of Cultural Affairs.