Craig Charles engages with his Country through his depiction of animals, but more often his paintings depict the Murray, other historic themes such as Possum Skin Football, 2008, and sacred sites. The sacred sites are often marked as areas of gold, silver and copper leaf applied to the work. Whole paintings are then covered with a layer of clear acrylic or shellac. The use of dark shellac imbues Craig’s work with a sense of solemnity and respect, as seen in works such as Sacred Tree of Knowledge, 2008. A lighter golden shellac is used where subjects are not as secretive or sacred in nature.
Craig Charles
Title: Possum Skin Football – First Team, 2008 - 183 x 137cm, Acrylic on linen
Craig Charles
Title: Bunurong Fishing Travel: San Remo, Phillip Island, 2008 - 161 x 85cm, Acrylic on linen
Craig Charles
Title: Nite Time Shining – Turtle Mob Yorta-Yorta Family, 2008 - 162 x 151cm, Acrylic on linen
Craig Charles
Title: Sacred Tree of Knowledge (Latje Latje Country), 2008 - 158 x 192cm, Acrylic on linen
Craig Charles
Title: My Claim Over Sacred Land, 2008 - 184 x 138cm, Acrylic on linen
Craig Charles
Title: Waiting for a Fish with Mungo (Mooki and Me), 2008 - 191 x 163cm, Acrylic on linen