charles newington – “beasts in space”

charles newington, artist printer etcher. best known for the blazing hill figure which nestles in the north downs, a unique stylised white horse now adopted as an emblem for a region, business and leisure.

pigeon holing charles is not easy, an extensive career path over 40 years has proven that. water colourist, painter etcher, printmaker and book illustrator have shaped an ever changing, constantly fresh approach to his own work.

charles’ first solo exhibition was in London in 1989, he has been exhibiting nationally and internationally ever since.

charles now resides in Folkestone and India.

“beasts in space” – 2nd-27th november 2011
“i started making the first ” beasts ” images about 20 years ago, inspired by the primal animist imagery of the palaeolithic cave paintings in south west france. their first solo show was at the rebecca hossack gallery in london in 1993. rebecca then went on to hang a bizarre 8 metre high tower of them at the barbican centre. other strange venues have been as decor for the rolling stones voodoo lounge tour backstage party area and the walls of blantyre house prison. beasts have been the theme for many further shows over the years

the main technique i use is a combination of dry pastel with ” sfumato”, (smoke painting) on rough handmade paper from nepal. larger pieces are made with oil and acrylic paints.

this exhibition at the space gallery shows both early work and a series of new pieces, revisiting and reviving an old, well trodden path. and it is a wonderful opportunity to put a show on titled ” BEASTS IN SPACE “.
charles newington.