Charlie Rogers "Gateshead's very own Lowry"
Our February 2024 event was a talk about relatively unknown local artist Charlie Rogers (1930-2020) who produced more than 100 paintings of Saltwell Park and lived a few minutes walk away in Westbourne Avenue. Brian Rankin, who gave the talk and is owner of Come View My Art Gallery at 122 Sheriff's Highway, Gateshead, started collecting works by Charlie Rogers and displays some of them at his premises. Rogers was a self-taught artist and only started painting while recuperating from a sports injury in the 1960s at the age of 34.
Many of his paintings depict areas of Gateshead and Newcastle that have since been demolished. His works provide a fascinating historical record of streets, back lanes and buildings that we will never see again, such as the Avenue Bowling Pavilion that was destroyed by arsonists in 2022.
Charlie Rogers was a close friend of famous County Durham artist Norman Cornish, although the latter was 15 years older. The two produced sketches of each other and collaborated on at least one known piece. Brian's research is still uncovering new facts about Rogers' life and work. Local councillors recently visited Come View My Art Gallery and agree with Brian that Charlie has largely gone unrecognised and his work should be promoted, especially among the younger generations of Low Fell and Bensham.
"Some people have called Charlie Rogers Gateshead's very own Lowry because of the quality and subject matter of his work", says Brian. "We need to ensure his legacy is never lost."
Examples of Charlie's work can be seen at the gallery.
Come View My Art Gallery, 122 Sheriff’s Highway, Gateshead, NE9 5SD.
Friends of Saltwell Park and Brian Rankin are working together to preserve the legacy of Charlie Rogers.
You can now join the Charlie Rogers Fan Club on Facebook to receive regular updates on the continuing story of a man who has become one of Tyneside’s most highly rated artists.
Brian is happy to talk to groups about Charlie Rogers and can be contacted directly using the email button below.
Success of Charlie Rogers book exceeds all expectations
Pursued by Bulldozers, the first book about local artist Charlie Rogers’ life and work, was launched to great acclaim in July. Gateshead Central Library was packed for the highly anticipated event, at which more than 100 copies were sold, all personally signed by author Brian Rankin.
“I would like to thank everyone who attended,” says Brian. “I was humbled and delighted by the outstanding support and enthusiasm for Charlie’s story. And this is just the beginning. You will soon start to see and hear more about Charlie in museums, libraries, parks and book stores. Watch this space!”
At the time of going to print, more than 500 copies of the book had been sold. If you missed the launch, you can still buy a copy of Pursued by Bulldozers at Gateshead Central Library and at the stockists listed below*.
Signed copies can be purchased at Come View My Art Gallery, 122 Sheriffs Highway, Low Fell, NE9 5SD.
Get in touch with Brian using the email button below.
*Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Shipley Art Gallery, Laing Art Gallery, The Biscuit Factory, Waterstones, The Back Page in Newcastle and Metro Centre, the bound at Whitley Bay, The Crack 1b Books in Heaton, Forum Books at Corbridge and
Cogito Books in Hexham.
