Inde-Picks (Independent
Curator's Selection)
Confined
to a place that rests uneasily between the world of visual arts and some
“8x10” cell in the United Kingdom, Charles Bronson's drawings are trying to
get out. These drawings can be considered to be on a parallel discourse to
the life of the man, himself. Bronson is sentenced to life in prison and is
awaiting parole. Solitarily confined for twenty seven years and given
minimal art supplies, the artist has created these powerful drawings that
depict the life and world of a caged “Madman.”
Bronson's drawings tell stories of what it is like 'inside', and for an
Outsider, they are compelling. His depictions do not appear to be only about
his interpretation from inside the cell or whatever prison he happens to be
in, but, also from inside his mind. Charles has created his own vocabulary
and identifiable style. Imagery such as closed circuit television cameras,
brick or block walls, cracked or broken eggs, birds, turtles, insects,
rodents, bald men, ropes, nooses and chains - repeated from drawing to
drawing - form the artist's signature. And, like any good story teller, the
metaphors abound.
A creative freedom exists in a place where liberties are few. Anything goes
when transcribed to paper. Freedom of expression resonates between the walls
of Charles Bronson's drawings. With rules crying to be broken, the crimes
can and do exist on the artist's page.
An interesting juxtaposition occurs in the drawings where content and style
contrast each other. From the context of solitary prison confinement, the
pencil work seems to have a therapeutic sense and to exude meditative and
soothing qualities. The drawings are sensitive when relating to the palette,
line and pencil work. A point of transition then takes place with obsessive
controlled coloring. Then by contrast, the imagery is abrasive, forceful,
provocative and even gruesome.
Are crimes still being perpetrated? The jury is deliberating on ten of
Charles Bronson's prison drawings; on trial, at Headbones Gallery, Toronto.
Copyright © 2006, Headbones Gallery
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