VENUE 18 | Old Town Hall

Charles is a sculptor living and working in the Scottish Borders with his wife Pauline Burbidge.

There are three distinct areas of his art practice: Growing Sculpture, Drawing and Studio Sculpture.

Charles has used a variety of materials in his work. Lead featured in his sculpture for many years. Early pieces – tools wrapped in lead, moving to sections of tree sliced, reassembled and wrapped - lead into forms pressed in sand, works which relate more to drawing than sculpture. Concrete has been used, as well as wax, paper, twigs and household rubbish - and more recently iron, in his celebrated work 'Dancing Tree' in Marchmont House. 

Charles started growing sculptural works at an allotment in Nottingham in 1985 as part of his studies, which continued when a garden was established a year after moving to the Scottish Borders in 1993. ‘Growing Sculpture’ was a phrase Charles established to reflect the nature of the work. An amazing example of this work is the beautiful 'Sky Boat'.

However drawing has, in recent years, been his primary means of expression. Traditionally, drawing is regarded as a secondary, or preparatory, activity. But Charles believes that drawing is immediate, direct and simple, it evokes and suggests rather than fixes, it feels transitory and ephemeral, echoing the lives we live.

Charles is exhibiting alongside his wife Pauline Burbidge at the Old Town Hall, venue 18.