For more than 50 years,
California photographer
PHILLIP STEWART CHARIS has
reinvigorated classic
portraiture – the kind defined
in centuries past by master
painters such as Rembrandt,
Gainsborough and Sargent – by
bringing their trademarks of
attention to expression, posing,
lighting and composition to his
frequently-life-size formal
portraits of America’s carriage
trade and celebrities.
In an article in the Los Angeles
Times, Robert Sobieszek of the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
was quoted on Mr. Charis, "Sobieszek
believes Charis' work will stand
the test of time. Historians of
the future will look back on the
tradition of the grand manner of
portraiture that started in the
mid-18th century with
Gainsborough and Joshua
Reynolds, and continued through
Sargent and Charis"
Now, bold examples of Charis’
exquisite work will have a rare
East Coast display when the
acclaimed photographer is
featured in the upcoming
ArtHamptons International Fine
Art Fair, debuting in
Bridgehampton, Long Island, New
York, July 11th – 13th,
at the Bridgehampton Historical
Society, located at 2368 Montauk
Highway in the heart of the
village of Bridgehampton.
Charis is among more than 100
artists represented by over 40
leading galleries from across
the U.S., as well as Canada and
England, participating in this
new event, which is described by
its producers as “the only fine
art fair in the Hamptons
featuring investment-quality
modern and contemporary art,” an
exhibit which demonstrates that
“art is the new real estate.”
For ticket and other
information, contact ArtHamptons
at 631-283-5505 or
www.ArtHamptons.com
.
The ArtHamptons International
Fine Art Fair
will honor some of the over 600
major artists who have often
lived and worked in the Hamptons
since the 1800s, including
Jackson Pollack, Willem de
Kooning, Eric Fischl and Chuck
Close. Just as significantly,
the event will reaffirm the
Hamptons’ status as a
historically creative community
heavily populated by serious art
patrons and collectors. The
inclusion of Charis underscores
his importance as an
award-winning chronicler of the
upper crust, as well as his
brilliant command of both
traditional and new photography
technology, which allows him to
bring freshness, realism and
varied creativity to every
portrait. At this writing,
Charis is still assembling his
exhibit, which is expected to
include several examples of his
society and celebrity portraits,
as well as ingeniously
manipulated images, many of
which will be available for
direct sale. “People want to
see and remember,” says Charis
about why his classically
elegant, graceful,
sharply-focused portraits
continue to be in great demand.
“They want time to stand still
or to be recalled in every
detail. They want to remember
the good and the beautiful, the
charming and the delightful, the
lovable and the kindly. Loved
ones grow up and leave, parents
grow old and forget, at times,
and all that is left is a
picture and a memory.”
Phillip Stewart Charis began his
career in the early 50s. Over
the decades, he has established
a peerless reputation in his
field. His portraits are
included in some of the most
distinguished collections and
private homes around the world.
Among his celebrated subjects
are Nancy Reagan, Candice
Bergen, Lynn Redgrave, and
the families of Henry Mancini
and Richard Dreyfuss.
Charis is a Master of
Photography with the
Professional Photographers of
America, a Fellow of the
American Society of
Photographers, a Craftsman of
Photography with the
Professional Photographers of
America, a member of the
exclusive Society of Camera
Craftsmen of America and an
Associate of the Royal
Photographic Society of Great
Britain. Charis’ participation
in the Fair is through the
auspices of the Wendt Gallery of
Laguna Beach, California.
NB: Mr. Charis is available for
in-person interviews, beginning
in early July and telephone
interviews beginning now.
Samples of his work covering the
last three decades are attached.
Additional examples of his work
and photos of Mr. Charis are
available on request. For an
immediate look at selected
Charis portraits, visit the
Gallery at
www.Phillipstewartcharis.com