The World of Charlie Shiels

17 March – 26 May

Charlie Shiels’ large colourful paintings feature groups of people in social meeting places such as pubs, restaurants and hotels.

He depicts people as caricatures exaggerating facial expressions and body language in good humoured and affectionate ways. His style harks back to the classic black and white films of the 1940s & 1950s reflected in clothing and hairstyles. These caricatures inhabit places, usually based on towns in the North West where Charlie has spent most of his life, but some show dazzling Mediterranean sunlight reflecting his connection with southern Spain.

Charlie Shiels has made new work for this exhibition based on the people and buildings of Oldham. It’s a world of quirky architectural details and warped perspective!