the exhibition
BREATHE was yates’ first solo show at The Watermill Gallery in Aberfeldy, Scotland. he built this collection of paintings over a three-year period, particularly during the pandemic, by collecting drawings, photographs, anecdotes, written notes, and his own previous experiences and documenting them as still moments of time. he aimed to limit the palette to evoke distant and dream-like memories in his viewers.
in this body of work, yates’ wanted to explore feelings of nostalgia, snapshots of light on still scenes, and slight abstractionism through undefined images. the exploration and foreign travel he depicts in many of these memories are meant to remind us of happier times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“there is a sense that Charlie is racing to show the world his work. his style is measured and assured. undeterred by lcokdowns and COVID, Charlie exhibited tirelessly, diversifying into the online exhibition sphere and solidifying his ambitions and singular vision for this 40-piece strong body of work. his observations are ambiguous and suggestive, yet decisive and bold at the same time. eahc image emanates light and stillness, glistening like a calm jewel of memory.” - zanna wilson, Watermill Gallery curator.
yates when on to receive his first ‘Times’ review after the opening of this gallery.
