Charles Salley Art Gallery

The Charles Salley Art Gallery was founded with a vision of  bringing over 40 years of Charles Salley's art to a wider audience, and to create a space where people can come together to engage with art and with each other. We believe that art has the power to inspire, to challenge, and to transform, and we are committed to bringing Mr Salley's Art,  innovative styles and thought provoking themes to Art Enthusiasts throughout the world. 

Charles Salley was born in Chicago on October 24th 1941. Charles was one of 18 children. His mother Vernithia Donley, whom I had a chance to meet when I was 17, was a very sweet soul. I was able to spent a few weeks with my Grandmother while I was  living with my Dad in Santa Fe in 1983. 

Charles went from Chicago to New Mexico where he established himself within the Eclectic  Santa Fe Art Community of the 1960's. He continued to show his work through his Gallery "The Black Kachina" which he established in Santa Fe. Charles  married  Suzanne, who was a  Native Potter, and continued with Exhibitions in both Santa Fe, Taos and Brooklyn NY. 

Charles  2nd wife , Suzanne Zainab Salley ( top left) 

At home in Santa Fe 1996. In a "pensive mood" (top right) 

With my Mom , Judith, in Miami 1983 ( bottom left) . This was the first time I had  seen my Father since my  Mother  left Santa Fe in 1968 with my older sister and myself. 

Dad with his youngest daughter, my little Sister,  Jade in Santa Fe 1996. 

Above are several of Charles Salley's original Lithographic Plates circa 1977. My Dad really  enjoyed the process of Lithography.  He would  tell stories of staying up all night trying different levels, colors and shades of ink which produced different effects from the same lithographic plate.  Many prints are labeled A.P. (Artist Proof) which was part of the process of this technique of constant refinement. Various  A.P. Lithographs are still in the collection. These A.P.'s possess  very slight differences which continue to make each one unique. 

Charles was a keen student of History and the Historical relevance regarding the poignant  issues of his time. The events of the 50's, 60's and 70's affected him greatly and how he viewed the world and our existence as a society within it. 

Charles had an affinity for color as equal to his affection for social, political, religious and cultural issues effecting society as a whole. His affection for watercolor was both related to color itself as well as the technical aspects of its application and process on canvas and paper.  

Charles Salley was also a meticulous Woodworker. He refused to ever purchase commercial made furniture and therefore  became fluent in the art of Old Style Santa Fe & Taos Furniture. His work was very Traditional, no nails. Only dowels,  mortise & tendon with dovetail joinery would ever be employed on any project.  He instilled those concepts into me during my time with him and set me on a path in a more Eastern Direction. Japanese Joinery and Traditional Shoji became my direction  in Woodworking.  

In 1998 Charles Salley began his fight against cancer. By March 2000 he had successfully completed chemotherapy and seemed well on his way to a full recovery. On May 6th 2001 Charles Abu Salley suffered a heart attack. The cause was  attributed to the medications he was on for his chemotherapy treatment and their issues with clot formation. Charles  passed away in his home studio in Santa Fe, NM.  I can only assume he was painting at the time of his passing. 

We are open to a variety of exhibitions throughout the year and  around the world. All exhibitions will feature a wide range of works by Charles Salley. We are also open as well to curated shows exploring the wide variety of themes, media and ideas of Charles Salley. Mr Salley's  exhibitions are designed to challenge and inspire, and we encourage art enthusiasts  to engage equally with the art and with each other.