Charlie Franklin
My recent work mimics ruins or geological debris becoming theatrical versions that hold opposing attributes to the originals: they are shiny, hollow, and portable.
Questioning permanence and authority is reflected in my choice of media: I use every day and found items that have little structural integrity such as cardboard boxes, gaffer tape and plastic sheeting. These central materials become masked and misshapen as they are painted, collaged, gilded, or wrapped.
Ultimately, my work seeks to uncover the ways in which objects can mark their territory and determine our sense of place.
Selected Exhibitions:
2025 – Winter Sculpture Park, Gallery No.32, London (until 26th April)
2025 – The Geological Unconscious, Hypha HQ, London (forthcoming)
2024 - Portal1, Wuppertal, Germany
2023 - Outliers (Solo), The Stone Space, London
2023 - Winter Sculpture Park III, Gallery No.32, London
2022 - An Expanding Field, Gloam, Sheffield, UK
2022 - Expanded Painting, AIR Gallery, Altrincham, UK
2021 - Fizmers (Solo), Broadway Gallery (Off Site), Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK
2021 - Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld, Kunstlerhaus Treptow Atliers, Berlin, Germany
2019 - Over Ground Uneven (Solo), Vane, Newcastle, UK
2019 - FLAT + EARTH, Sidney + Matilda, Sheffield, UK
2018 - Overlay, The Manchester Contemporary, Curated by MDP, UK
2018 - John Moores Painting Prize 2018, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, UK
2017 - In Nothing Flat, Mark Devereux Projects, Manchester, UK
2017 - Creekside Open (selected by Alison Wilding), A.P.T Gallery, London
2016 - Hamburg Kunst Altonale Festival 18, Germany
2016 - Standing In The Shade, Mile End Art Pavilion, London
2015 - Vein of Gold (Solo), Aldeburgh Beach Lookout, Suffolk, UK
2015 - The Green Room: Charlie Franklin & Pippa Gatty, An Tobar, Isle of Mull, Scotland
2014 - Ouija: Lindsey Bull & Charlie Franklin, Bloc Projects, Sheffield, UK
2013 - Nature Reserves, GV Art, London
2012 - Six by Four, Motorcade/FlashParade, Bristol, UK
2011 - Propeller Island, Supermarket Art Fair, Stockholm, Sweden
2011 - Mushrooms Like Lace (Solo), Motorcade/FlashParade, Bristol, UK
2009 - Magic Carpet, Crypt Gallery, London
2009 - Propeller Island, The Guerrilla Gallery, London