“Charles Waller’s unique and artful assemblages of vintage objects are amusing, provocative or intellectual—sometimes all at once. ”
“My art is primarily inspired by antique objects or materials either found or purchased. On occasion this has required me to travel throughout Europe and the United States to find exactly what I need. When a particular object inspires me, I creat a theme and produce 20 or more pieces. This fashion of working comes from my earlier career as an illustrator for the New York Times, as well as variety of other publications. Each assignment would dictate several story ideas to be presented to the editor.
This discipline has carried over to my fine art career. My affinity for the Surrealist movement, specifically Magritte, is evidenced in many of my creations. However, texture, social commentary, sarcasm and humor play an enormous role in my work. My greatest satisfaction occurs when I watch a collector laugh and get the connection. Then I’ve succeeded! .” — CW
Charles Waller was born in California in 1954. He grew up in South America and London. He studied English Literature and Psychology at the University of London and illustration at the Royal College of Art for drawing, then he got his BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. After college, Waller moved to New York City and began doing illustrations for the New York Times, The Washington Post, Boston Globe, Esquire Magazine and other publications.
Waller began making three-dimensional art when he moved to East Hampton in the early eighties. His artwork has been included in numerous one-man shows at Morgan Rank Gallery, Lizan Tops Gallery and Ann Kolb Gallery in East Hampton, NY; Pamela Williams Gallery in Amagansett, NY; Michael Perez Fine Art and Pacifico Fine Art in New York, NY, among others. He has exhibited in group shows including at RJD Gallery, Sag Harbor, NY; Guild Hall, East Hampton, NY; Southampton Cultural Center, Southampton, NY: Micro Museum, Brooklyn, NY; Dai-Nippon Gallery, Tokyo, Japan; and Triangle Gallery, Calgary, Canada.
Waller’s work is in the private collections of Donna Karan, Kirk Douglas, Barry Sonnenfeld, Tina Broccoli, among others. He has taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, Boston University, Parsons School of Design, School of Visual Arts and the Ross School. He lives and works in East Hampton..
Charles Waller by Jaime Lopez
ARTIST'S CAROUSEL
rotating exhibit of current & recently sold work
CHARLES WALLER speaks to folioeast’s COCO MYERS
CM/ WHAT APPEALS TO YOU ABOUT ANTIQUE OBJECTS?
CW/ I have always loved antiques.Growing up in London, I began collecting at a very early age. Now when I find an object it inspires a chain reaction that ends up as a body of work with a central theme.Thus the hunt begins. I travel far and wide to find the perfect components to make my statement.
CM/ DO YOU SKETCH IDEAS OF YOUR ASSEMBLAGES BEFORE ACTUALLY COMBINING THE ELEMENTS?
CW/ I do all my sketches on legal pads. I like the lines and the fact that my stream of consciousness is not hindered by a precious little white sketchbook. It is not unusual to find me sitting on the ground in the middle of large flea market doodling away, oblivious to all around me.
CM/ WHERE AND WHEN DO YOU DO YOUR MOST OF YOUR WORK? ANY PARTICULAR WORK HABITS YOU COULD DESCRIBE?
CW/ I do most of my work in my studio when I’m not on the road searching for “stuff.” I use power tools as much as I use paint. I work in spurts, obsessive and with no distractions until my project is complete. Then when something catches my eye, I start the whole process again.
CM/ WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE EAST END? AND WHEN?
CW/ I moved to the East End in the eighties, not to pursue an art career, since I already had one in New York City, but to pursue my love of all things water-related: fishing,sailing and surfing. I have rarely missed a sunset or a storm.The natural beauty here certainly refreshes my soul.
CM/ DO YOU FEEL INSPIRED BY THE HISTORY OF ART ON THE EAST END?
CW/ One can not throw a rock out here without hitting an abstract expressionist.The artist community here is very strong.There is always a variety of art shows and events to keep you busy, as well as a diverse group of talented, kind and exceptional artists.