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Charlie Reynolds

Graduate Student, MFA Program

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Portrait of Charlie Reynolds, holding a paintbrush

Biography

Curriculum Vitae
  • BFA, Painting, Middle Tennessee State University

Charlie Reynolds is a conceptual artist who explores themes of war, gender, and disability using fibers, installations, paintings, and sculpture. He seeks to invite viewers to investigate the limitations of the body and the euphoria of breaking free from it. His art, and developing practices, reflect the struggle to reconcile his identity and his abilities. Charlie draws inspiration from the tradition of Arte Povera, incorporating meaningful or sentimental materials into projects, giving them a new purpose and life while also considering an object’s history.

During his time at the University of Michigan, Charlie hopes to expand his practice with a specific interest in weaving, hand dying, and quilting. He would like to explore the history of transgender rights and medicine through his art, with a particular interest in the current anti-trans laws in the United States. Having fled such laws in Tennessee, he is ready to use this time to fight.

“Art is activism for me,” said Devin Allen, a photographer for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Work

17 posters appear in three rows, blue, yellow, and red. The images show nude and semi-pornographic images set in front of a ship steel background. Charlie Reynolds: My Body is Illegal Graduate Charlie Reynolds: My Body is Illegal
Human-like wax figures mixed with ashes are pinned to the wall in multiple rows Charlie Reynolds: Little Soldiers Graduate Charlie Reynolds: Little Soldiers
a white, see-through American flag is hung with stars falling off Charlie Reynolds: The Dream Isn’t Dead, The Dream Was Never Here Graduate Charlie Reynolds: The Dream Isn’t Dead, The Dream Was Never Here
4 images depict a man in a wheelchair that are blurred to indicate motion Charlie Reynolds: The Unnatural Conversion of Energy Graduate Charlie Reynolds: The Unnatural Conversion of Energy
a manila folder reading "US NAVY" is attached to a long quilt of dirty, ripped underwear. The quilt touches the ground and at the bottom is clumps of grass and dirt. Charlie Reynolds: Dangerous Times Graduate Charlie Reynolds: Dangerous Times
A cake stand sits with concrete on it. A disassembled revolver pressed and immobilized in the concrete. Charlie Reynolds: My Heritage is Violence Graduate Charlie Reynolds: My Heritage is Violence