Charles Binger “Illustrator”
January 9-February 1, 2015
Showing with Hudson Marquez “Rhythm and Shoes”
at La Luz de Jesus Gallery
January 9 – February 1, 2015
Opening Reception: Friday, January 9th, 8-11 PM
Artist Talk: Sunday, January 18th, 2-4PM
La Luz de Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Boulevard,
Los Angeles, CA 90027
www.laluzdejesus.com
Preview show images here
Charles Binger “Illustrator”
Charles Ashford Binger was a British-born painter who found great success in Hollywood and on Madison Avenue. His commercial art included film posters, pulp novels and celebrity portraiture in a career that spanned the 1920s – 1970’s. Binger’s hallmark style utilized impeccable composition, rendered in a painterly style over roughened textures. His science-fiction paperback covers include masterpieces The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury & Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. As Marilyn Monroe’s favorite illustrator, he created three of her most memorable film posters, including Niagara and River of No Return. Located in the discovery phase of this sophomore exhibition were key art paintings for Ben Hur and A Streetcar Named Desire. His gift at capturing in oils, beautiful, vulnerable women and rugged, earthy men made him a highly sought portraitist among the crowned heads of Europe, and a valuable commodity in the emerging post-war pulp market. Binger passed away in 1974.
This is the second exhibition of his work in 45 years, and the very first time that most of these works have been offered for sale. The real treasures, aside from gorgeously realized, large format paintings are miniature studies done as elements for paperback covers, motion picture key art and sheer enjoyment. The majority of pieces have been painstakingly restored but on a few of the smaller works, condition is consistent with commercial work of this era.
