ODDyssey of the mind:
a look inside the figural and spiritual mind of charlie frye
by charlie frye | museum gallery | october 1, 2026 - november 22, 2026
reception: october art night, october 1, 2026
Artist Statement:
When you are asked to create an exhibit for the Kentuck Art Center it is something to be approached with reverence and respect. You don’t just slap together a few big paintings, grab the rest of what you have and make the eleven-hour drive from the coast of North Carolina to Alabama. You open the toolbox in your head and create the most fantastic art experience from your soul.
For years I have painted two, maybe three, different figures that I consider 'the man in my head.' That was the original title I thought to give to this exhibit.
After much consideration, deliberation, and conversations with my wife Susan, I have chosen the title, "ODDyssey of the MIND."
It describes my imagination and exploration of the characters I have seen in my head for decades, while also letting me share my emotion and concern during these heavy times in our world.
You will see recurring themes of crows, more eyes than naturally belong in situations, and angels. You will feel the influence of a childhood in the North Carolina foothills, a love for animals, a respect for our enduring spirit, and a reverence for Native American culture. You will feel the belief that our soul carries on after our time here is complete and that our angels help guide us then, as well as through this life.
Though the show is heavy and contemplative, it is tinged with hope in humanity, the belief that there is much more than what we see with our own eyes, and that the spirit we carry in our life will endure beyond our earthly confines.
The man in my head is the same spirit no matter how I paint it; as a bearded old man, an angel, an indigenous healer, a slender bald man or an animal. It represents the spirit that abides regardless of the vessel.
Visually the show is meant to envelop you in wonder and to ask you to question what your eyes are telling your brain. The work stands on its own, but with the assistance of 3-D glasses and an open mind, your ODDyssey will begin.
I have also made a playlist of the songs I listened to the most as I created the show.
Please request the Spotify link so you can enjoy the vibe on your own.
Enjoy the show and as always,
“Do your Best Earthlings.”
~Frye
About Charlie:
Charlie Frye is a self-trained artist and native of western North Carolina.
He has been a full-time artist since 2008. In 2016 he and his wife Susan opened a folk art gallery and antique store in their hometown of Lenoir, NC. They so enjoyed filling their gallery with carefully curated artwork, antiques they both loved and unique gifts. The business was housed in a 1925 pharmacy building and their home was above the gallery.
In 2024 they opened a second gallery in Pittsboro, North Carolina. While they enjoyed their time in the quaint town of Pittsboro, it unfortunately wasn't the right year to open another gallery, so they kept heading east. They now reside in the coastal village of Oriental, NC.
Charlie is a printmaker and sculptor but is best known for his expressive paintings. He draws from childhood experiences, the scenery and animals of Appalachia and now the coast, people who have inspired him, and his visions and dreams to bring his artwork to the easel. He paints with a colorful, loose style that is instantly recognizable, without even looking for the trademark red Frye signature in the corner. In recent years he has experimented with drips, taping layers, and has developed a style that is enhanced by 3D glasses.
Charlie’s work has been featured in many North Carolina magazines, such as Our State, Walter, WNC and Foothills Digest. He has been a guest lecturer at Appalachian University. He has pieces in the permanent collections at Kentuck Art Center, Vanderbilt University and The American Tobacco Company campus in Durham, NC. He has been on the regional lifestyle television shows Life in the Carolinas, NC Weekend and Carolina Traveler. Charlie has done many folk art shows, including the prestigious Fearrington Folk Art Show, Kentuck, and Finster Fest. Frye has had several one-man museum shows, including his first show in 2008 about the life of Edgar Allan Poe and his 2022 show at Kentuck entitled “America the Beautiful, Land of the Free?”