Artist Bio
Charlie King is an MFA candidate at the University of Houston. He previously studied at Sam Houston State University for his BFA in photography. Charlie’s work pulls on personal themes in his life such as vulnerability, gender, identity, and mental illness. He spreads awareness about often stigmatized or under-represented issues and creates an open dialogue with the viewer. Charlie’s work has a heavy focus in the photography, but he also experiments with mixed media and installations techniques.
Artist Statement
My artistic practice revolves around a candid discussion surrounding mental illness, rooted in my personal journey with bipolar disorder. I share my personal experiences throughout my lifetime of mental health issues. My work is a beacon of authenticity and honesty around the often-stigmatized issues of mental illness.
As an interdisciplinary artist I work with various mediums including photography, illustration, and sculpture, I work to unravel the complexities of mental health with authenticity and vulnerability. Central to my approach is the use of vibrant colors and textual elements, which punctuate my works with raw emotion and unfiltered narratives. These works become my voice, articulating the spectrum of experiences—from societal stigmas to intrusive thoughts—that define the landscape of mental illness.
Education
University of Houston
MFA: Photography and Digital Media (2026)
Sam Houston State University
BFA: Photography Minors: 3D Studio, Art History, Graphic Design
Solo Exhibitions
2024
Maybe its the right time to go to the hospital, ESS Gallery 2, Houston, TX
One Month Later, ESS Gallery 1, Houston, TX
Executive Dysfunction(ing), Box13 window gallery, Houston, TX
2023
Incandescent, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
Symbiosis, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
2022
Memory Playground, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
Oddities and Curiosities, Gallery X-Space 220, Huntsville, TX (duo show)
Group Exhibitions
2024
Fieldwork Marfa, ESS Gallery, Houston, TX
Orbit, Elgin Street Gallery 1, Houston, TX
2023
Huntsville Narratives, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
The Big Show, Landale Gallery, Houston, TX
23rd annual juried exhibition, University Art Gallery, Huntsville, TX
Starving Artist Café (building takeover), Dana G. Hoyt Fine Art Building, Huntsville, TX
Narativas, Artly Mix, Sao Paulo, Brazil
I'm Happy For You, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
Organ Meat, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
2022
Motley Huddle, Gallery X-Space 220, Huntsville, TX
Exquisite Corpse, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
Huntsville Narratives, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
SAA Auction, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
Annual Juried Show, University Art Gallery, Huntsville, TX
2021
SAA Juried Show, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
Still Life, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
Exquisite Corpse, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
Organ Meat, Satellite Gallery, Huntsville, TX
Publications
2024
Glasstire, weekly show posting, One month later, ESS Gallery
Glasstire, Weekly show posting, Executive Dysfunction(ing)
2022
Grain Of Salt Zine, Issue 3: Sublime, page 9, November 2022
Grain Of Salt Zine, Online Publication, The Abstracted Portrait, November 2022
Beacon, Online Magazine, Beacon 2022, May 2022
Residency
2024
LA Studio Artist Residency, Patton, PA
2022
Grain Of Salt Zine Summer Residency
Awards and Scholarships
2024
Cynthia Woods Mitchel Fellowship in the Arts
2023
Graduate School Fellowship
Provost Fellowship in the Arts
2022
Student Art Association Scholarship
Madison & Martha Wolfe Photography Scholarship
Annual Juried Show; 3rd Place