Exhibition of beloved local artist opens at Gateshead Central Library
" I feel like I have spent much of my career pursued by bulldozers"
Charlie Rogers
A new exhibition that tells the story and celebrates the life of Gateshead artist, Charlie Rogers, is welcoming art and history enthusiasts of all ages to Gateshead Central Library this summer.
Charlie, who was a self-taught artist that lived nearby to the library, visited the site that now hosts an exhibition of his works many times during the 60 years that he painted.
The unique style of his work captured his love of the Tyneside area, which often features familiar locations to residents of the North East including Bensham, the Shipley Art Gallery and Saltwell Park.
The free to enter exhibition, entitled 'Pursued by Bulldozers' after Charlie's famous quote, showcases a selection of paintings, prints, watercolours and sketches, including some artworks that have only recently been discovered.
Visitors of Gateshead Central Library are taken through the life of the artist, with information, maps, photographs, artwork and anecdotes helping to share Charlie's impact and influences on local culture.
Local gallery owner, Brian Rankin, has proudly co-curated the exhibition with support from the artist's family to ensure Charlie's legacy lives on. Brian will be available every Saturday of the exhibition from 10am until 12pm to sign his book of the same name, 'Pursued by Bulldozers', which documents the life, influences and art career of Charlie Rogers. The book will also be on sale throughout the exhibition.
Since its opening day on 12 July, hundreds of people have visited the gallery. On the success of the exhibition so far, Brian said:
"I couldn't be prouder of the interest the exhibition has had already, from new and devoted fans alike.
"Art has a special way of connecting people to our past, and Charlie's work is especially meaningful for residents across Tyneside.
"For instance, I was completely blown away by a lady who was looking at one of Charlie's paintings for so long, I had asked if she was alright. I couldn't believe what I was hearing when she responded to say that she recognised her grandma's washing - and it was a street she knew well from her childhood.
"The exhibition is for everyone who loves our area and is proud to be from our region. Charlie's art speaks through time and provides future generations with a record of the social, economic and industrial landscape of our area that is simply too important to forget."
The exhibition can be found in the gallery at Gateshead Central Library until Saturday 27 September during normal library opening hours: Monday and Thursday 9am-7pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm.
For more information, including a map to the library, visit Pursued by Bulldozers: An exhibition of work by Charlie Rogers.
" I feel like I have spent much of my career pursued by bulldozers"
Charlie Rogers
A new exhibition that tells the story and celebrates the life of Gateshead artist, Charlie Rogers, is welcoming art and history enthusiasts of all ages to Gateshead Central Library this summer.
Charlie, who was a self-taught artist that lived nearby to the library, visited the site that now hosts an exhibition of his works many times during the 60 years that he painted.
The unique style of his work captured his love of the Tyneside area, which often features familiar locations to residents of the North East including Bensham, the Shipley Art Gallery and Saltwell Park.
The free to enter exhibition, entitled 'Pursued by Bulldozers' after Charlie's famous quote, showcases a selection of paintings, prints, watercolours and sketches, including some artworks that have only recently been discovered.
Visitors of Gateshead Central Library are taken through the life of the artist, with information, maps, photographs, artwork and anecdotes helping to share Charlie's impact and influences on local culture.
Local gallery owner, Brian Rankin, has proudly co-curated the exhibition with support from the artist's family to ensure Charlie's legacy lives on. Brian will be available every Saturday of the exhibition from 10am until 12pm to sign his book of the same name, 'Pursued by Bulldozers', which documents the life, influences and art career of Charlie Rogers. The book will also be on sale throughout the exhibition.
Since its opening day on 12 July, hundreds of people have visited the gallery. On the success of the exhibition so far, Brian said:
"I couldn't be prouder of the interest the exhibition has had already, from new and devoted fans alike.
"Art has a special way of connecting people to our past, and Charlie's work is especially meaningful for residents across Tyneside.
"For instance, I was completely blown away by a lady who was looking at one of Charlie's paintings for so long, I had asked if she was alright. I couldn't believe what I was hearing when she responded to say that she recognised her grandma's washing - and it was a street she knew well from her childhood.
"The exhibition is for everyone who loves our area and is proud to be from our region. Charlie's art speaks through time and provides future generations with a record of the social, economic and industrial landscape of our area that is simply too important to forget."
The exhibition can be found in the gallery at Gateshead Central Library until Saturday 27 September during normal library opening hours: Monday and Thursday 9am-7pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm.
For more information, including a map to the library, visit Pursued by Bulldozers: An exhibition of work by Charlie Rogers.
