Alan Charlton has, since the early 1970's, painted purely grey, abstract paintings. The choice of grey paint stems from Charlton's desire to use a "standard, industrial colour," linking to the industrial landscape of his childhood in Sheffield, but also the emotive qualities of the colour. Grey evokes industry, modernity, melancholy, depression but equally tranquillity, calm and the absence of any colour at all. Unwavering from this rigorous format has allowed Charlton to indefatigably explore the formal qualities of the canvas and to remain free of representation, influence or interpretation.