FEATURE ARTIST: Charles Chase

Charles Chase joins us on August 20th as a feature artist.

Charles Chase was born in Columbus, IN in 1984 and graduated with a B.A. in African Diaspora Studies from Indiana University in 2007.
He subsequently moved to New York that same year and now resides in Harlem where he works and paints out of his apartment.

When asked who is influences are he stated "As an artist I try and refrain from comparing my interpretation to another artist's. When it's all said and done every good artist paints what he is. Furthermore the death of all art is definition. People often ask me 'What kind of art do you do?' To try and categorize what I do into something specific i.e. "pop art" or "abstract" is not only binding but degrading. Categories create boundaries for an artist they then feel obligated to adhere to essentially neglecting the very instinct that makes who we are as artists."

Charles Chase like every artist ultimately wants to create works of art that will be timeless but with a particular flair that's all his own. One example of this is his choice to avoid giving his pieces titles. "Again, titles limit people. Giving a piece a title will ultimately lead people in one direction or another denying them the opportunity to interpret the art for themselves. Where is the fun in that?"

Whether you agree with his interpretation or not, or like his particular "brand" of art, he leaves you with no choice but to THINK for yourself, and let's be honest; in this day in age thinking for ourselves every once in a while can't be a bad thing.

You can contact Charles Chase at charles.chase.ny@gmail.com You can also follow him on twitter @IAMCHASEQUIAT.