Statement

For our summer 2023 exhibition, Themes+Projects gallery happily presents, Looking for Clouds by Charlo!

Charlo’s exploration for this new work literally came from changing his perspective of what is in front of him, to drawing inspiration from the clouds above! By waiting and watching his subjects pass him by, the calmness of these moments revealed the hidden compositions he observed in the slight changes in shapes, gestures, and movements of his clouds. This activity sparked his imagination and through his playful abstract linear line work, Charlo expressed his discoveries through symbols, letters, phrases, and hidden themes. He invites the viewer lose themselves in these complexly dense compositions and to be thrilled in finding joy and wonder in their meanings.

In this exhibition, Charlo experiments with the use of modular and circular paintings on panel, a sculptural abstract cloud, drawings on paper, and a wall mural. This is Charlo’s first solo exhibition with Themes+Projects gallery and second collaboration with the gallery. In fall of 2022, Themes+Projects gallery had the pleasure to work with Charlo in creating a mural for Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo.

About

Charlo is a multimedia artist and designer. He emigrated from Monterrey, Mexico in 2013, and currently based in Denver, Colorado. In 2020, using the NextDoor app, Charlo connected with fellow residents of the greater Denver community who invited him to paint murals onto their garage doors. As part of his Make Alleys Great Again project, he brought unity and joy to communities through his five dozen alleyway murals. In 2021, in partnership with Nextdoor and the New York Stock Exchange, he produced a live mural entitled The Joy of Being Together. In August of 2022, Charlo made his debut as a keynote speaker at TEDxMileHigh allowing him to tell his story to a much wider audience. Charlo's objective as an artist is to create joy, optimism, and build community through his work.

Press

The Gazette - The Amazing Voyage of the Denver Artist known as Charlo

5280 Magazine - Denver Muralist Charlo Is On a Mission To Spread Joy 

CPR - Mexico-Born Denver Muralist Redefines ‘MAGA’ One Garage Door At A Time 

ABC News - Denver artist making alleyways great again one garage door at a time

The Denverite - Mexico-born Denver muralist redefines ‘MAGA’ one garage door at a time 

NBC News - Artist’s Murals Connect Community

Telemundo - Un muralista mexicano se reinventa durante la pandemia y ahora su trabajo tiene lista de espera 

Nextdoor | NYSE 

“The Joy Of Being Together” 2021  Mural live painting event in partnership with Nextdoor in the New York Stock Exchange,  Nextdoor is now listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker $KIND 

Nextdoor celebrates $KIND listing on the New York Stock Exchange with neighbors who are building stronger, more connected communities 

FOX31 - Denver artist making alleyways great again one garage door at a time 

Denver Art Museum - Storytelling Studio Artist Charlo Garcia Walterbach 

Real Simple Article - 11 Inspiring Stories of Neighbors Banding Together 

Westword- The Artist Next Door: Charlo Opens First Solo Exhibition

TEDxMileHigh Reconnect - JOYCYCLE by Charlo Walterbach

Número 8 | Denver, Colorado  “Hola Denver” 2020 

His 8th and the largest mural was painted in the Fall of 2020 at 930 Inca St in Denver on a massive black cinder block canvas. With the city skyline cresting the roof of the building in the distance, this would be Charlo’s "salute to the city.” Charlo Mural Número 8