Meet the Artist: Charlie Holt

We spoke to artist Charlie Holt, creator of ‘Confined Inside and Out’ about creativity, lockdown and the arts.

‘Confined Inside and Out’ by Charlie Holt is an online photography exhibition that was commissioned for The Living City as part of our exploration of Preston in Lockdown. You can view the exhibition here.

It features residents from Croston, a village south of Preston, accompanied by words which reflect what they said they missed and what plans they had had for the future.

Q&A with Charlie Holt

What affect, if any, has the lockdown had on your creativity?

I don’t think it has had any substantial effect at all.

What role do you think art can play in making a city a great place to live, work and play?

The role of art offers an alternative vision where ever it takes place. Creative people of all disciplines add to the life of a community.

What have you lost or missed in lockdown?

Strangely very little that I am aware of. I have a lot of varied projects on the go

What have you found, or rediscovered in lockdown?

Good thinking time … an enforced remaining in the house has been positive.

What are your hopes and fears resulting from lockdown personally and for the arts sector?

There is obviously going to be a backlog of cancelled events which might be rescheduled ? Some may not ? Some venues may well close leaving gaps and reducing opportunities in all creative sectors. Funding may well become less……None of this will stop me creating work … it will just take longer to find opportunities and venues to exhibit work.

‘Confined Inside and Out’ by Charlie Holt is an online photography exhibition that was commissioned for The Living City as part of our exploration of Preston in Lockdown.

It features residents from Croston, a village south of Preston, accompanied by words which reflect what they said they missed and what plans they had had for the future.

About the Artist

Charlie Holt has lived in Croston for 40 years and works out of his studio in the village.

Holt describes ‘random’ and ‘chance’ as being central to his work saying that “the Exquisite Corpse game is ever present.”

His work is heavily influenced by Pop art Dada and Surrealism and uses both traditional and newer digital methods, often combining both.

Locally he has been exhibited at the Building Design Partnership Gallery and The Harris. He also has had his work exhibited internationally in Europe, The U.S.A and in India.

To see more of Charlie Holt’s work you can visit his Facebook page , Instagram page or website; or to see his Confined Inside and Out exhibition click here.