- The work of Miami based artist Westen Charles allows a fresh look at seeing

the world. In a performance piece titled "Nice Hav'in Ya", the artist used talking

trees, a ten foot stack of 2x4's and an unexpected display through closed-circuit

television which individually compromised the viewer's sexual morals.

Another challenging presentation at the Lowe Art Museum included video,

photography and fireworks- appropriately titled "Rocket Ass". His works

have been characterized by an unsettling reminder that the lines between life,

art and expression can quickly blur, leaving participants vulnerable and even

intimidated.

- "Pigs and Lint" includes a series of video performances and an installation

using household appliances. The video explores the many relationships

between humans and animals, ranging from the familiar constructs of children's

fables to the contemporary issue of packaged food. Charles' installation responds

to the coincidental refuge of modern domestic machinery. A close examination will

reveal many unexpected ingredients such as finger nail clippings, body hair and

dead skin particles.

- "Pigs and Lint" illustrates Charles' visual vocabulary- it is a combination of images

that reveal the working processes, ideas and obsessions that underpin his work

in all media including drawing, painting, sculpture and video.

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