Lynda Charles
“I’ve always thought that the human body is the best art out there; nothing is more beautiful or complex than the physical and emotional things we are made of. I want to show everybody what I see when I look at people.”
- Lynda Charles
Lynda Charles is a Nigerian-born visual artist who stumbled onto art accidentally while studying to obtain an undergraduate degree in Applied Biology. She always knew she didn’t want to be an applied biologist but wasn’t quite sure what the alternative was. She discovered her desire to create art while visiting her friend’s makeshift art studio in the final year of her undergraduate study.
Without the benefit of formal fine art education, Charles committed to honing her craft through practice, mistakes and frustrated attempts.
Lynda Charles prefers to draw inspiration from what she deems to be the most beautiful art in existence – people. The self-taught artist believes that everything we experience as people is filtered through our lenses and ultimately becomes a part of us, transforming us. She longs to represent humanity’s beauty and turmoil, its collective expressions, emotions, and joys on paper and canvas. That way, others can share the experience in whatever form it comes to them.
The Process.
The journey is just as important as the destination…
-
![]()
‘Lost’
Sometimes you take a risk and fail terribly; other times, your relationships lead you down an unfamiliar and terrifying path.
But regardless of how you got there, nothing is sure. You’re LOST. You feel scared, confused and betrayed. You have no idea where you are and how to get back to what’s familiar. It’s disorienting, but it’s also human.
I got lost recently, and that helped me find this collection.
A lot of my work has been about human relationships and the complex emotions they bring out in us. This year, I’m exploring a new reality - the personal journey you go through as a result of those relationships.
For better or worse, the people in our lives affect our experiences, and sometimes, we have to work through those experiences solo.
That’s why my latest collection is called ALONE; because some things, you have to do by yourself.
Expect the works in this collection to be striking, thought-provoking, and, most importantly, familiar. I want you to look at them and feel like you know EXACTLY what the subject is going through.
It’s going to be my most emotionally charged collection yet, but I can’t wait to share it with you.
Lynda Charles
‘Lost’
2024
Charcoal and Acrylic on Canvas
96.5 x 127cm
-
![]()
‘Recess’
People say time heals all wounds. Sometimes healing has more to do with you, the things you choose to accept, and the things you choose to let go. Time just makes it easier to process.
This piece is called recess because oftentimes, it comes immediately after you feel lost, if you let it. You can’t turn back the hands of time and there’s nowhere to go but forward. But you’re not quite ready to go yet.
So you take a recess. You sit for a while, let time wash over you as you come to terms with where and what you are now. You choose to go through the journey.
Recess after losing your way is painful. It’s not sexy and it certainly doesn’t project strength. But, it’s necessary.
It’s time for a recess…
Lynda Charles
‘Recess’
2024
Charcoal and Acrylic on Canvas
127 x 96.5cm
The Process.
Follow the beauty and precision of each stroke…
-
![]()
'A Home'
Lynda Charles
2024
Charcoal and Acrylic on Canvas
137.2 x 182.9cm
-
![]()
'A Rock'
Sold
-
![]()
'A Tether'
Lynda Charles
2023
Charcoal and Acrylic on Canvas
91.4 x 76.2cm
Welcome
Oreofe Art Gallery is honoured to present artworks from the ‘Self Reflection’ Series
by Nigerian artist, Lynda Charles
Lynda Charles Self Reflection #1 2022 Charcoal and Graphite on Paper 116.8x106.7x0.3cm
Lynda Charles Self-reflection #2 2022 Charcoal and graphite on paper 147.3 x 106.7 x 0.3cm
Lynda Charles Self-reflection #3 2022 Charcoal and graphite on paper 116.8x 106.7 x 0.3cm
Lynda Charles Self-reflection #4 2022 Charcoal and graphite on paper 116 x 106.7 x 0.3cm
I'm a self-taught artist who's committed to honing my craft through practice, mistakes, and unexplainable inspiration.
I believe that everything we experience in life makes up our identity, and I love to explore who people are, and who they are trying to be through my art.
That's why every piece I create tells an emotional story, that hopefully, helps you see things a little differently.
-Lynda Charles
Contact Us.
oreofeartgallery@gmail.com