Opening reception for
Charles Randolph and Juan Baldera


Views from the Edge

New East Gallery
1601 East 5th Street, suite 106
Friday, June 20th from 7 pm to 10 pm

The opening reception for Charles Randolph and Juan Baldera in Views from the Edge, an exhibition of the two artists’ work in acrylic and oil on canvas and board.  Sharing the gallery space in a split display, the artists’ works compliment each other creating an atmosphere for social commentary and critical awareness in images reminiscent of 1950 American Pop Art. 

Charles Randolph, noted expressive painter and carpenter, grew up in Austin where he began his life as a visual artist.  After attending the School of Visual Arts in New York City, Randolph returned to Austin where he helped select art for the City of Austin while serving on the Austin Art in Public Places panel and provided artistic and creative direction for Austin youth in Totally Cool, Totally Art.  Randolph’s images have an honesty that evokes Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and his frank representations of nineteenth century French society.  Randolph’s fascination with human behavior and everyday life brings intense emotion to his pieces.  His depictions of life, people, and reality are visually compelling and warrant a broader audience. 

Born in Port Lavaca, Juan Baldera has lived in Austin for the last eight years and here developed his skill for oil and acrylic painting.  Views from the Edge is one of two openings this summer that will be his first shows as an established artist.  The work exhibited is a selection from his Zombie Series, an interpretation of the monotonous, semi-violent state of middle-of-the-line Americans; a condition that Baldera explains as a product of keeping to “basic patterns” and “falling asleep” in life.  The series is done in acrylic on canvas and captures movement and emotion. 

By Charles Randolph



By Charles Randolph

By Juan Baldera

By Juan Baldera