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Artist Exhibitions:
Coming Soon!
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Artist Galleries:
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Artist Reviews:
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Collections:
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Artist Statement for Charles Stephan
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Pigs have somehow always played an important part in my life. I’ve gotten to know them at an early age. My aunt had ‘family pigs’ (not for their meat!) when I was a young boy. She also had a Vietnamese potbellied pig called Porkie, and from the beginning I was drawn to this creature because of its specific looks, intelligence and character. At a later point in my life I started to combine my painting and drawing skills with my love for pigs and one thing led to another. The most important reason why I dedicate my work to the pig is because this animal deserves positive attention more than any other animal. It is too often misunderstood, taken for granted or just seen as pork.
I think it is my duty to try and purify the bad image of the pig together with other pig friends. With my pig art I want to show how pigs truly are. Instead of simply dirty, lazy, dumb or fat: clean, playful, intelligent or lean. But also loving, colourful, diverse, beautiful, warm, social, wild, dangerous, courageous and more…in short: an animal worth to be seen and to get to know!
Bio: Charles Stephan, pig artist
Born in Spijkenisse (Holland), September, 6th, 1969. Self-taught.
Both his parents are born in Jakarta, Indonesia. Charles does custom work and draws and paints (pet) pigs, and sometimes other animals like horses, cats and dogs. The many diverse pig breeds of the world are a challenge and great inspiration to him. Today his watercolours are spread all over the world and there is a lively interest for his art work from: Japan, the U.S.A., Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Besides the editorial work for the Dutch pet pig magazine ’t Knorrende Stopcontact (the Oinking Socket), he provides most of the pig illustrations for this magazine, published four times a year by the Dutch (pet) pig foundation ‘t Gorke. Charles has exhibited some extinct pig breeds last July 2002 for the foundation of rare breeds ‘Royal Cattle’ (Zeldzame Huisdierrassen, exhibition Vorstelijk Vee at Paleis het Loo). In April 2003 his first book has been published “Van Minivarken tot Grote Vriend – Alles over minivarkens” (From Mini-pig to a BIG friend – All about mini-pigs), published by CirCum Publishing. This book is a practical guide on how to keep pigs as pets, with lots of colourful water colours of different breeds of (mini) pigs by the author and other artists. There are also several postcards with pig drawings and paintings from Charles especially designed for pig rescue fundraising projects like ‘the Piglet Adoption Plan’ and ‘Save the Pygmy Hog - Project’.
The pig artist works from his studio Atelier Babi Senang (The Happy Pig), the place where the source of his idea’s flow and where pigs are always welcome.
Charles’ latest project is about the Legend of the Swine tubers…
He is the conceptual designer and creator of The Lil’Potbellies™ (3D Sculptures other), to be expected this spring 2004.
Adopt an Art Piglet & help a pig friendly organisation
25th June – ‘t Gorke foundation, Dutch information centre for pig lovers gives the opportunity to adopt an art piglet.
Everyone that adopts an art piglet contributes to the well being of the pigs in the world. One third of the income benefits an international animal friendly pig organisation* of choice, one of these is Lil’ Orphan Hammies (CA). The art piglets are called The Lil’ pOtbellies and are made (hand sculpted and –painted) by pig artist Charles Stephan from the Dutch Atelier Babi Senang (The Happy Pig). Each Lil’ pOtbelly (8 x 6 cm), has its own positive message. You can choose your own kind of piglet (breed, color etc.) and its own symbol. There is a pOtbelly of Luck, a pOtbelly of Love, a pOtbelly of Trust and a pOtbelly of Hope.
These sculpted clay pOtbellies (8 cm x 6 cm) have to contribute to a better image of the pig and spread positive messages all around the world.
Each piglet is unique, has a number, a certificate of authenticity - adoption papers. The price for this collector’s item isn’t low because of the status Objet d’Art and the time consuming process of the making of one. There is a waiting list of three weeks, depending on request and offer, and the price is $ 180.00. But to make it
a little bit affordable for a wider audience there are also Lil’ pOtbellies made from polyester, (also handpainted) cheaper version in limited edition for the price of $ 55.00 each.
From the pig studio Atelier Babi Senang
You can sign in for an art piglet by sending an e-mail to: Charles@gorke.nl
Please mention if you choose a unique or a limited edition art piglet, your name and address and the pig friendly organisation that you wish to support.
Photos copyright Tara Promt © 2004
The Lil' pOtbellies are protected by the copyright of the artist Charles Stephan © 2004
All rights reserved
Virtual online exhibitions can be visited at:
http://www.gorke.nl gallery varkens in beeld (pigs in portrait)
http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/c/charlesstephan
http://home.zonnet.nl/draadexpressie/ varkensillustrator
http://user.tninet.se/~rpq867g/guestgallery.htm
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