Ben’s unique and innovative approach to his art practice has led to many awards and recognition. His deliberate use of wood grain as a substrate unlocks and challenges the spatial dimension of space and reality within the paintings. The near three-dimensional quality of the palpable wood panel, the grown fractal pattern of nature itself are seamlessly integrated into compositions with photo realist oil painting.
The solid wood panel and pattern of the grain constantly cross over to be interpreted as sky, water or sand, to be the illusion, whilst the realist painting, being the actual illusion, is so convincingly real it crosses to the other side posing as the ‘real’. Yet this paradox is somehow soothing and invigorating, perhaps due to the minimal, peaceful contemplative nature scenes presented and the subtle approach he has taken.
Oil on Kaudamu wood panel. Measures 50cm diameter.
SOLD
Oil on Oak wood panel. Measures 88.5cm x 88.5cm x 7.5cm.
SOLD
Parker Gallery - 90 Achilles Avenue, Nelson, New Zealand - 03 539 4280