My work takes two forms, the twenty inch square portraits and the larger narratives. The narrative form allows me, with a slapstick humor, to portray my relation to events, stories, ideas, and art history that have attracted my attention. The portraits are formal explorations of colors and shape more than likeness. I have been making self portraits exclusively since 1974 and what I have noticed is my need for more. This evolution is described by my abandoning a limited palette in exchange for all possible colors extending to gold and silver leaf or from a single figure to multiple figures in a composition, from static to many rhythms and movements. The slapstick humor allows me to play the holy fool.
-Charles Parness
I’ve known Chuck for over 40 years and I think that his artistic growth depended very much on his ability to let himself be himself. Because this self is an imp, a scamp, a fool, clown, provocateur and a royal pain in the ass. These are the things that most people don’t want to be. If the large works are epic records of events that happen to him, the small self portraits are works that happen to us. These pieces are always a 20 inch square. The square is a tense shape and within it an edgy, restless atmosphere develops. Pattern, loud color, outrageous costumes, Charles himself, often cursing, struggle in the square. He’s a Chuck-in-the-box, waiting to assault the viewer. His recent work is even more lush, lusty, irreverent and noisy than usual. And for me, it is always a joyous sound.
-Bill Mutter