Portfolio of Charles Keatts

My primary concern as a painter and multimedia artist is to construct something beautiful both inside and outside the line of modernist tradition and aesthetic. My work began as minimalist and abstract expressionist painting, primarily in oil. Mine is not so much a body of work but a collection of "bodies" that is autonomous works that relate to each other in different ways. I only want to include what is necessary in my work.

I am very particular about the materials I use, especially found objects. I’m interested in the support structure and other aspects of a work that are often taken for granted. I prefer to work with unstretched raw canvas, glass, recycled, and other media. My work emerges and interacts with all aspects of these elements and so often leaves out some aspects. For example, the piece may be "framed" by itself or an idea rather than a conventional rectangular frame.

Also, I see photographs of my work as distinct works in themselves, often modifying the images digitally or otherwise to further distance them from their subject and create a separate object.

I’m interested in the physicality of the materials, their application and appearance, and the way the object is constructed. I do this in an intuitive way that is primarily visual and not focused on language or meaning. I value language as a way to connect the viewer to the piece.

My paintings and other constructions are documents expressing my fascination with color, light, paint, process/play, texture, and objects.

I believe that art can be part of some kind of fundamental change in our culture, society, and the world. Making art can undermine and/or deconstruct the status quo of consumerism, boredom, and oppression.

Please contact me if you interested in purchasing, showing, curating, commissioning, or viewing the work. My work space is in the Castro in San Francisco. I have been painting since 1989 and have been in a number of group and individual shows.

Also check back here for updates , shows, new images, etc. To sign up for announcements etc. join tribe if you have not already and then join this group.
Or just email me at keatts at gmail dot com and I will put you on a list.

Charles

http://charles-keatts.tribe.net