charlie leal
Noir et Blanc
A SOLO PRESENTATION BY general public
General Public is pleased to present our inaugural solo exhibition of artist Charlie Leal’s new body of work titled “Noir et Blanc”. This presentation consists of over 30 works which includes multiple series titled “Distance”, “Pouring”, “Paperwork” and “Pilings”.
catastrophe and beauty
Primarily an abstract artist, Charlie Leal explored how the rhythmical brush strokes could imbue abstraction with meaning. He balances formal painting qualities, unique graphic forms, color interactions, and the application of materials in the content of his works. Their impact toggles the oppositions of thick and thin, expressive gestures and hard to soft edges, leaving behind a lasting impression of his processes. Many of Leal’s works express themes derived from the duality of catastrophe and beauty.
View from the studio of Charlie Leal.
exhibition
In this exhibition, several works adopt an expansive scale - some are over 6 feet wide. In the “Distance” and the “White on Grey Scribbles” series, Leal plays with layers of textured medium, acrylics and Caran d’ache. He choreographs a series of white lassos that create a lyrical sense of mark making which poses graphic questions to be answered by the viewer.
" I UNDERSTAND MYSELF BEHIND A CAMERA, PENCIL OR PAINTBRUSH "
CHARLIE LEAL
Influence
It is not a coincidence that Leal’s influences are Pierre Soulages and Robert Ryman. Soulages painted predominantly in black or “outrenoir” (beyond black) and Ryman who painted only in white.
The simplicity of Charlie Leal’s paintings capture the spontaneous process that he employs throughout his works. He creates a graphic balance between positive and negative shapes.
Robert Ryman exhibition at the Museo Jumex, 2017.
Inside the Paris studio of French artist Pierre Soulages.
Piling series
For the Pilings series, artist Charlie Leal forges a balance between carbon black vertical marks and a delicate lighter layer that serves to accentuate every bristle and dollop. Charlie applies paint expressively using homemade brushes, palette knives and damp rags to administer each desired effect. His interest in both urban and natural structures continually finds its way into his artistic vernacular. Anchored by the inherent drama, this work speaks of his process between balance and kinematics.
" PAINTING ACCOMPLISHES WHAT A DRAWING FAILS TO SAY "
CHARLIE LEAL
Earlier this year, Charlie Leal was the subject of a an exhibition titled “The Texture of Constance and Change” at The Stratford Gallery in United Kingdom.
A native of Santa Cruz, California, Leal earned his degree in Illustration and Fine Art at ArtCenter College of Design. He lives and works in Los Angeles.
