EXHIBITIONS

June 2006 - Overtown Gallery - Solo
July 2006 - Goodwood - Osborne Studio Gallery
June 2007 - Osborne Studio Gallery - Impressions of the Turf
2007 - Dorchester Hotel, Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charity Auction

June 2008 - The Tryon Gallery - Solo Exhibition

September 2011 - Ralph Lauren and Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - The Works of Harbinger
(Download Brochure)


PATRONS INCLUDE

Lady Whent
Lady Tamara Van Cutsem
David Margesson C.B.E.
Mrs David Dollar
John Francome M.B.E.

Mrs Peter Leach

Radley College

The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club

JP McManus

Mrs Mary Slack

Mr & Mrs John Magnier

The Hon Harry Herbert

The Jockey Club, UK

TESTIMONIALS

 
"I have long admired Charlie’s work as an equine artist and sculptor but it wasn’t until he unveiled his one third sized portrait of Derby winner Motivator that I realised that here was an artist with a talent that was truly unique. I look at that painting every day at home and I am still in awe of the way that Charlie captured the character and physical presence of the horse. The unveiling of the two bronzes of our world champion, Harbinger, proved that Charlie is also a supremely gifted sculptor and one who has a special eye for the confirmation and movement of the thoroughbred. "

The Hon. Harry Herbert
 

"Charlie spent a considerable amount of time observing Yeats at Coolmore and we feel his bronze really captures the horse’s character and his wonderful presence. We couldn’t possibly have been happier with the piece – it is truly magnificent."  

John and Sue Magnier
 

"As I look critically at thousands of horses every year, my eye is fairly well tuned when it comes to looking at the ‘perfect athlete’. For someone to actually create that absolute picture in art form to the detail it requires, is a unique and extraordinary talent. A margin here, a margin there makes the difference between someone who is simply an artist to someone who is different from the rest. Having watched Charlie unfold his talents over the last few years makes me think his work will be admired and coveted for generations."

John. F.R Warren Racing manager to Her Majesty The Queen
 

BIOGRAPHY

My inspiration is the horse. More specifically, the thoroughbred. In particular, the difference in attitude, character and physicality that sets the champion racehorse apart. The thoroughbred horse is a truly breath-taking sight. Powerful yet graceful, athletic, balanced, fit, fast, stunningly beautiful and yet oblivious to the impact that this mesmerizing combination can have on the observer, the thoroughbred could maintain my interest in the horse as a subject for a lifetime. However, it is in searching for the components that make a champion a champion that I find myself drawn into each subject with a fresh excitement. Every champion horse has something unique or, more likely, a unique combination of attributes that will set it apart from the herd. It is the process of trying to establish what these are, and attempting to capture them, that I find so alluring.

My ambition with every work is to sculpt the character, the presence, the movement and the likeness of the horse so that that fleeting spark of excitement, passion and beauty can endure. How has the breed evolved in the last 300 years? How interesting would it be to be able to stand Eclipse next to Shergar? Sculpting a portrait of a great horse can be an accurate historical record of the bloodline as well as a work of art. To capture the life, the energy and the willingness of spirit in clay and bronze is a huge, never-ending challenge to which I am becoming increasingly addicted. I hope that my involvement with these amazing animals and in this thrilling sport continues for many years to come.

EDUCATION

Edinburgh College of Art - 2002/03
Charles Cecil Studios - 2003/05
Lavender Hill Studios - July 2005

Nicolas Beer - April 2007