Paul Charles-Cook

Born1957,Educated Reading University,Seeking to explore ways of combining abstract and figurative elements exploring surface and expression, with strong connections to the art of the past.I am intersted in sweeping away ethnic, art that says more about the person producing it, and their self obsession, than pursuing perfection.
I wish to re connect with the grand European figurative tradition,and put the primitive,in to the bin of history, where it belongs.
To me,Rubens,Leonardo,Raphael, Bernini and Rodin, Neo Classicism and humanist art and photography from France,and the pursuit of aesthetic perfection is important.
Think with your mind,see with your eyes,and not base your judgement on those of others.Embrace your inner weirdo,and be yourself.If they don't like you.they aren't worth knowing.
For too long now,in Britain,art schools,art experts, and artists themselves,are stuck in a constant recycling of the 60's,70's.and any other recent decade that floats their boat.Sadly, the High Rennaissance doesn't.
The same old cliches are peddled, and the obsession with festivals, and all manner of hippie culture,which involves poseurs, sitting around looking,and dressed, like wet drips from the mid 60's and 70's, peddling their rubbish, a...

B.A Hons Reading University exhibited first Athena awards, 1992 B.P Portrait Award, several mixed exhibitions.Recently returned to painting after ten years, as wife died.She was more important than any painting or drawing to me.,

Athena Prize, Mall Galleries 1985, B.P Portrait awards 1992 NPG, " Sex From the erotic to the outrageous, Paul Woods Gallery, London,