Charles Gaines

A philosopher and an artist, Charles Gaines developed his theoretical approach to art largely through avid reading on a range of topics, from Western philosophy to Tantric Buddhist art. He explores seemingly straightforward ideas such as nature and disaster, but his work prompts questions more than answers, leaving room for doubt, uncertainty, and a general feeling of in-between-ness. What results is a self-examination of our beliefs and ideologies, our theories about beauty and art, and our comfort level with our own thoughts. Gaines’s pieces narrate specific issues, such as inquiries into color and texture or the effects of global warming, which the artist tackles by systematically breaking them down. The beauty and simplicity of each composition constitute only the first layer in a theoretical investigation into the nature of our interactions and experiences.