Photos from Charles’  first exhibition – ‘Telling Tales’.

Thank you to everyone who was able to come along to Charles’ first exhibition, it has been really well received.  A repeated comment was: ‘who are the other artists?’  I think that just goes to show just how talented Charles is.  All the work exhibited was his.  An artist whose styles cannot to be pigeon-holed. 

The unveiling of the paintings for Charles and Wendy Cooper’s forthcoming book collaboration ‘Khajuraho Tales’ was the highlight of the show.  The images that Charles has created stand alone, the show stopper being a 2m ink and watercolour painting ‘Khajuraho Freize’ priced at £3500

‘Gita Revealed’ is now showing with the images from the Bhagavad Gita.  Folkestone Book Festival is now underway and on Thursday 11th of November Charles and the author of ‘Bhagavad Gita - Talks between God and the Soul’ will be at the Quarterhouse.  Tickets are £7 and available from the box office 01303 858 500  or online www.folkestonebookfestival.com

Hi

Charles is still in the studio so, for now, it’s my job to keep you all updated.

Things are hotting up for the first of two exhibitions ‘Telling Tales’ starting on,Friday 29th October. ‘Gita Revealed’ follows on immediately on the 5th running until 11^th of November.

‘Telling Tales’ is really about Charles and his work – past, present and….the future.

 I don’t get why he is so modest and doesn’t want to show off more…surely that’s what artists do?

 I’ll be honest with you and say art is not my background, so I am coming at this with fresh eyes; some of what I see in the art word really gets up my nose, most of it is amazing and fascinating, some of it is quite sad.

 I met a friend of Charles recently, a lovely man, David Tindle a senior RA. This guy is one of the most eminent in the living art world yet most of his great stuff is locked away in galleries waiting for him to pop his clogs. I will write about that more on another occasion – I might have a rant about retrospective exhibitions.

 But Charles is alive, kicking and very vital and this is his website and it’s all about him. So Charlie – I am going to show off for you!

 Charles Newington, is good. No, forget that. Charles Newington is bloody good. You will get a taste of that if you drop in at Georges House Gallery in Folkestone – just a few miles from his landmark chalk horse on the downs above this coastal town.

 His horse is also a reminder of the man’s diversity and that ability to get inside a subject. Stare at any Newington work long enough and you will feel it. Even if it’s a landscape, you will be there, or want to be there.

 I have pushed Charles to do the first exhibition because I think every now and again one has to say ‘look at me and what I do’.  With the economy being what it has been over the last few years and the scarcity of good galleries, giving people a chance to see a major collection housed in one fantastic space is a rare opportunity for the viewer. 

It’s going to be good.

Welcome to Charles’ news page/ Blog.  Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Charles’ PA/ agent/minder/social worker (the last credential is a bit tongue in cheek but it feels like it sometimes).Working for Charles is like trying lasso the wind.  Keeping tabs of a creative mind is a challenge, but fun and rewarding.

This is Charles newly reworked website.  It is packed with some of his best works. When you take a look at the diversity of Charles’ work you might begin to understand why he is so hard to pin down.  My husband acquires a look of fear and dread when I start a conversation with the words ‘I’ve been thinking’.  Similarly Charles does the same to me when he rings up and says ‘Daaarling, I have a new plan’

Speaking of plots and plans as Charles might say, we have loads.  Currently we have two exhibitions back to back at the wonderful Strange Cargo, Georges House Gallery in Folkestone. Telling Tales (29^th October – 4^th November) is going to present some of Charles’ best known works and showcase two new book collaborations.  Plus a new collection – more on that nearer the date.

The second exhibition is something I am particularly excited about.  The Bhagavad Gita (5 November -10^th November).  A request from a life long friend of Charles’ Ranchor Prime a renowned Hindu scholar was to illustrate Ranchors 21^st century working of the sacred text.  It’s been an amazing collaboration.  Ranchor and Charles have known each other from school, and two more different paths from boarding school days you could not imagine – Charles – sex drugs rock and roll and the art world.  Ranchor – a serene spiritual path, but here they still are working together.  The Folkestone book festival team were so taken with the resulting book they have invited Ranchor, with a backdrop of Charles electrifying art work to take a major slot and this year’s literary festival.

 Links: www.strangecargo.org.uk

          www.quarterhouse.co.uk

          www.ek-one.co.uk   click on the current issue pages 28-31

Keep logging on for up to date information, or better still sign up for regular update.

If I ever undo the lock on Charles’ studio door he might write the next blog, but until then it’s up to me, his not so long suffering PA Colleen

Welcome to the new Charles Newington website. We are currently updating the site with new artwork, news and much more.

To keep up-to date with news and updates please do sign up to the mailing list.

Thanks

Charles