Charles Carson

The Forbes Report, New York - Grand Master Charles Carson. By Victor Forbes, Historian and Art Expert. Fine Art Magazine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd6JfQObv4g

The Forbes Report
Fine Art Magazine, New York
by Victor Forbes,

In many of our reports, you may have noticed we have used the term “Hero of Creativity” as a theme. We do not take this term lightly, indeed it derives from the words of indubitably America’s foremost painter of the last 50 years, Jasper Johns, who stated, “All art is heroic.” To paraphrase George Orwell, “All artists are heroic, but some are more heroic than others.”

Once in a generation, it seems, we are touched by an artist who transcends the traditional boundaries of paint on canvas. In sharing the bounty of his unbridled energy and compendium of styles, he shows us the power of his mind in its rawest form. He is indeed a Hero of Creativity, a role model, a guiding force, an example all can follow.

What makes an artist heroic? Putting aside the current time in which we are living, heroism is found in forms unspeakable. The question, then is: What is an artist to do? Bear arms? Sometimes it works out that way, but in most cases it would be to continue the work, and get better so as to pass on the ethereal DNA of your skill set to the next generation and generations after. Does it matter if you breach a million dollars at auction? Of course, that would be nice, every artist dreams of success and what money can buy. Yet, the heroism comes standing before a blank canvas and making each brush movement important.

You can see it is his work. The mosaics — their dimensionality — speak to you in very bold terms. The colors march at you as an army while the fish swims in eternal motion on the canvas. It’s more than a statement on Carson’s love of the sea. It is a written testament to the power of a few bristles of horsehair coated with man made pigments can express a thought with language of color? Yes that is Carson. He stands before the empty canvas with austerity. “You’re the bread on my table,” he says to it. “His son, a few meters away, already at work on his newest piece, is the only other in the room. The words register. Reynaldo Carson was only stopped by a world plague from a world tour. More on him in a future discussion.

Of interest to art historians is that unlike Picasso, Chagall, Monet, van Gogh, Da Vinci and the aforementioned Johns, Carson’s surname has been bestowed, by an esteemed critic in Paris, as “CARSONISM”, only describable as a movement unto itself. Thus, “Carsonism” was christened although it had certainly been in existence, even before it had name, since the first time Charles put his mind to being an artist. Through the decades of great success, came sorrow as it does to most walking the planet. Yet, through his body of work created in Colombia, Paris and his home in Montréal, there is a snap line of continuity. Whether small or humongous, Carson’s work in both Mosaic and Carsonism is distinct and impossible to duplicate. No such things as Picassoism, Johnsism, Schnabelism, no Warholism — JUST PURE CARSONISM.

Take a virtual tour through his new studio. A fantastic viewing space — formerly a church — immaculately filled with Carson’s creations. The magnitude of the undertaking is astounding. The creation of the art adorning the walls even more so.

Much respect to Charles and his vision and my hope is that his message is not in vain. Color unity, care of the sea, living in harmony. Powerful yet humble. To me, Carson is a man worthy of his moniker.

“Carsonism” is far more than a technique. It is a state of mind. It reminds me of how Bruce Lee must have been in front of an opponent: focused, ready, not a wasted movement. If one is dazzled by either one’s art in the process, it would come as no surprise. Carson is a fierce, determined art warrior of skill and repute. His paintings exude a warmth of spirit and everlasting energy. Long live Charles Carson!
LONG LIVE CARSONISM!!!
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New York, NY, 2015
Victor Bennett Forbes,
Art historian, writer, editor of Fine Art Magazine, since 1975

Charles Carson, Grand Master
Award Hero of Creativity, 2015
Creator of the movement "carsonism"

New York, Victor Forbes -Fine Art Magazine, Grand Master Charles Carson, Canadian Artist /sept. 2025 THE FORBES REPORTBy VICTOR FORBESHISTORIAN AND ART EXPERT, EDITOR - IN - CHEF OFFINE ART MAGAZINE, NEW YORKInterview by Victor Forbes, September 2025, New Yo...