Charles Foley - South African artist - (1976 to present)

 

Soon after graduating from The National School of Arts in Johannesburg (former Art Ballet Drama and Music School) in Johannesburg in 1994, Charles got his first job at HerdBuoys advertising agency. He went on to pursue an illustrious career in creative advertising that spanned over 25 years. During this period he honed his conceptual, art direction and copywriting skills, amassing numerous local and international acknowledgments along the way, including being recognised as part of the team that won South Africa’s first internationally acclaimed Cannes Lions Grand Prix Award.

 

Charles’ artistic and creative expression has taken many forms over the years. Apart from painting and being recognised for his creative excellence in advertising, Charles has also performed as a musician and produced 2 albums with The Privates International Band. An avid philosopher and former member of the New Acropolis School of Philosophy South African branch, he has devoted much of his time and creative energy towards the study, teaching and practical application of philosophy over the years.

 

A contemporary South African realist painter, Charles is recognised for his finely executed portraits and figurative works. His practice is distinguished by a precise handling of light, likeness, and psychological presence.

He has achieved notable distinction both locally and internationally. His painting Hendrix goes to school was selected as a finalist in the Art Renewal Center Salon, awarded the PoetsArtists Publishing Prize, and included in the Lunar Codex project, becoming the first South African painting archived on the moon. He is also the recipient of the Conrad Theys First Prize in the Vuleka Art Competition and has been a finalist in the Rust-en-Vrede Portrait Award.

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While Charles' artistic practice continues to evolve, embracing new, exploratory directions, there remains a constant thread through his work: a vibrant, considered, and distinctly painterly/expressive style. Each new project reflects a dynamic interplay of technique and vision, as he consistently pushes the boundaries of his craft while maintaining the essence of his unique artistic voice. His work is increasingly sought after within the South African art market, reflecting a renewed appreciation for technical mastery within the contemporary realism space.

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“Whether it’s a landscape, still-life, slice-of-life or portrait painting, I approach every piece of art with a view of creating a tangible connection to a moment that shares the simple truth of what it is to be human.“ - Charles Foley​

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Accolades and exhibitions:

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1994 - Group Exhibition at National School of Arts Gallery - “A day at the races”

- Series of 2 x oil paintings of horseracing

2001 - Private Exhibition at The South African Lippizaners -  “Lipizzaner Studies” - Pastel studies and series oil paintings of the South African Lipizzaners

2002 - Private exhibition - “New York Angels”  - Series of oil paintings of women in New York

2020 - Group Street exhibition - “Walk-by Art” - series of oil paintings produced during Covid-19 lockdown period

2021 - Rust-en-vrede National Portrait Competition - 1 x Top 100 group exhibition piece at Rupert Museum - "Hendrix goes to school"

2021 - The Arts Association of Bellville National Vuleka Art Competition - 2 x Top 40 group exhibition pieces at Art.B Gallery - "Everyday Divinity (Love)" + "The one that got away"

2021 - Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation gallery (permanent group exhibition piece) - "The Spirit of Joy" ltd edition print

2022 - Apartheid museum (Desmond Tutu group exhibition) - "The Spirit of Joy" ltd edition print

2022 - The Arts Association of Bellville National Vuleka 2022 Art Competition - Top 40 Finalist group exhibition at Art.B Gallery - "The Great Marico Redemption"

2022 - 16th International ARC Saloon Finalist - Realism - Figurative - "Hendrix goes to school"

2022 - 16th International ARC Saloon Finalist - Realism - Portrait - "Hendrix goes to school"

2022 - 16th International ARC Saloon Finalist - Realism - Portrait - "The Search for Truth""

2023 - 16th International ARC Saloon PoetsArtists Publishing Prize winner - "Hendrix goes to school"

2023 - "Hendrix goes to school" is included in the Lunar Codex, "The Polaris Collection" to be sent to the moon

2023 - Luxembourg Art Prize - Certificate of Artistic Achievement

2024 - First South African painting on the Moon - Codex Nova & Moon Camera Lunar Codex launched Feb 15 & landed Feb 22, 2024 via SpaceX Falcon 9 / ILOA / NanoFiche / GLL Lunagram / NASA CLPS-TO2-IM

2024 - 17th International ARC Saloon Semi-Finalist - Portrait - "Bittersweet in die Donker Kamer"

2024 - 17th International ARC Saloon Finalist - Animal - "Where?"

2024 - 17th International ARC Saloon Finalist - Animal - "Whyt?"

2025 - The Arts Association of Bellville National Vuleka 2025 Art Competition - The Conrad Theys First Prize - "PleTeruYS wazHere"

2025 - The Arts Association of Bellville National Vuleka 2025 Art Competition - Honourable Mention - "Bittersweet in die Donker Kamer"

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