A cause for celebration with you. On a high point of my career stretching back 45 years as an artist and musician, this year has seen both the Royal State Portrait commission and the release of my first solo album. There have been so many wonderful sitters, from our german stone mason in Suffolk to heads of State, Royalty and everyone in between.

It has truly been a privilege to get know, study and experience the special bond between sitter and artist over nearly half a century.  The whole process of painting someone is a creative collaboration and more than a mere exercise in facsimile. The result is a document of a relationship and the extended time spent in one another’s company.

By this year’s end I will have completed the Coronation State Portrait of Queen Camilla. To be hung in Buckingham Palace in the Throne Room early next year. I can’t release any images of the works and preliminary sketches at present as I’m held to some pretty rigorous NDA’s for the period leading up to the official unveiling. (Except for the photo of me peering at the Coronation Crown). 

It was an unprecedented pleasure to spend so much time with HM Queen Camilla during our sittings. I was also able to sketch and scrutinise the Coronation Crown, this extraordinary object was released from the Tower of London for only one day (with a security detail in attendance!) to my temporary studio at their majesty’s London residence, Clarence House.

If I never do another thing in my life, I will at least know that this work, as the only official Coronation State Portrait of Queen Camilla that will ever exist, will be part of our nation’s history.  I am honoured and humbled by the King and Queen’s belief in my ability to do justice to this once in a lifetime commission.

–– All images copyright to Benney Studios and not for republication —

Other news…

I’ve participated in a number of group shows lately including a large scale drawing ‘Casino’ and looped video work of one of the ‘Reliquary Series’(below) in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

‘Heavy Water’ at the Britten Pears Arts Summer Exhibition and another ‘Reliquary Series’ video at the Anima Mundi Gallery ‘A Skin Made Porous’ exhibition.

As well as installing the ‘Speaking in Tongues’ on silver leaf work at KOKO in Camden I also held a live performance with my band SALLIS, of a few tracks off my first album release ‘Tree of Ghosts’ on the Ellen Terry Stage at the House of KOKO.  (Doing well on Spotify. If you want a listen use this link. https://open.spotify.com/artist/3byJhOpLm0CaUAWwFsvTRm?si=ch1qzU7aRyabHARNQiRkNQ)

My album ‘Tree of Ghosts’ alongside Nikolaj Torp Larsen’s new album cover.  He has used a painting of mine currently in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

There have been a number of other commissioned works that have been a great pleasure including this ‘Burning Moor’ painting for a collector on the Yorkshire Moors.

2022 – 2023

I know we are all strapped for time, especially now but I thought I should send my news at least once a year. Hope you can wade through it all!

Click on any of the images above for a link to the Portrait archive pages of my website

Here are some of my portrait projects of 2022…some are of close friends and some, like the hairy girl Antoinetta Gonzales, are special commissions…all are beautiful stories, which is why I love to paint people. Those conversations in the studio, one on one, are some of the most intimate of exchanges and inform every brush stoke.  A portrait is not just a likeness it is also a mirror. As with life we are drawn to the dream of unity with the mirror of our souls.  If we lean into the meniscus that separates us from ourselves we may, from time to time, glimpse the divine.

October, 2023…  I have donated a painting to the auction at Sotherby’s for the charity ‘Freedom from Torture’, supporting people who have survived torture and offering sanctuary for hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers, rebuilding their lives in the UK.

Artists include Anthony Gormley, Grayson Perry, Ai Wei Wei, Mona Hatoum, Kiki Smith and me.

October, 2023…  Installing my composite, 3/4 size silver leaf giclee print ‘Speaking in Tongues’ at the truly amazing, newly restored venue and club Koko’s in Camden.

This place has got to be the most well-appointed ‘musos’ hang out anywhere.

Special thanks to Nick Quinby and Mikei Hall for the experienced install and Katie Heller for curating this space…and Olly Bengough for believing in the vision and Violletta for her support.

The friends that modelled for this painting are from left to right – Richard Strange, James Ribbans, Nicolas Quinby, Levi Ducran, Viktor Wynd, Jon Spiteri, Nitin Sawhney, Johnny Dewe Matthews, Uri Fruchtmann, Adam Fuss and Nick Laird Clowes

June, 2023…

‘Tree of Ghosts’ final mastering at the legendary Metropolis studios.

Album launch in the new year, 2024 at Koko’s in Camden…date to be announced.

Royal Academy Summer Show, 2023…Varnishing Day at the RA summer exhibition…astonished to find my painting Grenfell Tower ‘ The Sleep of Reason’  hanging in an exceptional room amongst exceptional works by RA’s.  Thanks to Royal academicians Tim Shaw and David Remfry for believing in the work and the message.

Proceeds will go to the Grenfell Foundation.

Grenfell Tower – ‘The Sleep of Reason’ – 2017, oil and carbonised cladding on canvas

I lived and worked in the vicinity of Grenfell Tower and was deeply affected by the catastrophic fire that destroyed so many people’s lives.  I felt compelled to do something that could possibly remain as a memorial to the victims. I started work on this a few days after the tragedy.  The point of view being from the garden of a friend, a neighbouring property directly under Grenfell Tower.

During the night of the fire, the burning and carbonised cladding had fallen from the tower into the garden.  I collected this material and back in the studio ground it into an oil medium to make the paint used to create this work. Hence, this painting is not only of Grenfell Tower but made of it as well.  It is both a representation and a manifestation.

It was conceived as a monument and a lament;  The catastrophic dysfunction around Grenfell Tower fire disaster remains to this day, a grim testament to the lack of connection between institutions that bear responsibility for the disaster and residents that suffer the consequences…and this work memorialises the mostly unrecognised and overlooked immigrant communities that live among us.

February, 2023…

Alexander the Great through the dreams of the Greek philosopher Aristotle.  A staged reading of an epic poem by Stamatis Filippoulis at the British Library with my art direction and projections, directed by Elizabeth Filippouli.

January, 2023…Some stills from the installation of my film ‘Requiem’ at Dorfold Hall, Cheshire.

Digitally augmented painting with a specially composed work by the maestro that is Nitin Sawhney.  I feel that his internal musical world and my internal visual world connect on a very deep level.

Curated by Zuleka Gallery and Flora Fairbairn

2019-2022 Long Overdue Studio Newsletter

Iconic Works: Inspiration – National Museum of Sweden and National Museum of Norway

CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR EXHIBITION DETAILS

photo: Paul Benney’s ‘Pieta’ Oil on Canvas. (Next room in photo 1: Jeff Koon’s ‘Mona Lisa and reflecting ball’)

2020. Travelled to Copenhagen to attend the opening of ‘INSPIRATION – ICONIC WORKS, the great travelling museum exhibition curated by James Putman and Suzanne Pettersson at the Swedish National Gallery and later that year to the Finland National Museum, Helsinki.  I was very happy to have my work alongside Marina Abramović, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Nancy Fouts, Mark Karasick, Ola Kolehmainen, Jeff Koons, Joseph Kosuth, Sara Masüger and Yinka Shonibare CBE among others.

My gallery Anima Mundi Gallery continues to be very supportive of my work. Please follow the links to the online and gallery exhibitions starting with ‘Scrying Mirror’ 2016,  ’Protected by Alarms’ October, 2019, ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ April 2020, ’Beyond Ourselves’ November 2020  ’Castles of Sand’ June 2021, ‘Thresholds’ December 2021,‘Mabon’ September 2022 and ‘Samhain’ October 2022.

December, 2020. My answer to the ‘lockdown’ gathering restrictions was to hold a winter outdoor installation; NIGHT PAINTINGS-WINTER ​PROJECTIONS at Snape Maltings. This projection event included large scale digital/painting, hybrid video projections on the exterior walls of the Snape buildings. All credit to artistic Director Harry Young for making it happen.

October, 2021. Viktor Wynd invited me to exhibit some small works at his The Museum of Curiosities in Hackney, London. The dark, sepulchral interior of the museum perfectly suited my work. Sounds gloomy but it worked well. 

December, 2021.BUCOLIA, a group show at Colmena House. Renata and I curated this exhibition of stellar contemporary artists, which we plan to repeat as a regular fixture here.

March 2022 Seven Portraits. Surviving the Holocaust. Buckingham Palace, Queens Gallery. Honoured to be asked to paint Holocaust survivor, Helena Aronson by the then Prince of Wales for the Royal Collection.

May, 2022. ‘Once Upon a Time’, group show.  Big crowds for the opening reminded me of the East Village openings in the 1980’s. Curated by Flora Fairbairn and Katie Heller at 23, Chiltern Street, London. 

June, 2022. ‘Remains to be Seen’ PAUL BENNEY, KIKI SMITH, LAURENCE EDWARDS at Britten-Pears Arts, Suffolk. A major, three person exhibition, two years in the making and scheduled to coincide with the recent Aldeburgh music festival. I asked two artists I admire greatly to join me in populating several familiar and less familiar (semi derelict) spaces around the Snape Maltings campus. I’ve been informed by the Britten-Pears arts director that this exhibition drew the greatest attendance figures of any exhibition at Snape Maltings. 

October, 2022. Catch this Channel 4 documentary, Antiques Yard.  In episode 3, @ 30 mins. I am resurrecting or conjuring up a C17 painting of the famous Milanese hairy girl Antionetta Gonzales that’s hidden under a later Madonna and Child. This is a fascinating account and turns out to be the origin story for Beauty and the Beast!

Paul Benney- artist interview, mostly talking about ‘Speaking in Tongues’ and the Dark Mirror Series 

Remembering the magical window of lifted lockdown evenings at Snape Maltings in December 2020.
Harry Young (MD Snape Maltings) took a courageous leap in the dark to host my projection and sound installation. ESP studio, Stuart Harris, Dave Keech, and Simon Reed were co-conspirators with excellent projection know-how.
Thanks again to the brilliant Britten Pears team – Tom Taylor, Geoff, and all the riggers who created the nighttime event ‘Night Paintings’ that brought people outdoors for the first time in months.
Thanks too to Nitin Sawhney, James Ribbans, Gavin Bush, and Harry Timson for collaborating on the music & soundscape.
Mostly I have my wonderful Renata Danobeitia to thank for all the love and support.

Britten Pears #espstudio photos and video of the event: Ian Wallman

Paul Benney is happy to announce his participation in the following exhibitions over the coming months.
Currently open at the Finland National Museum, Helsinki ‘INSPIRATION – ICONIC WORKS is a major traveling exhibition that contains work by Marina Abramović, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Nancy Fouts, Mark Karasick, Ola Kolehmainen, and Jeff Koons, Joseph Kosuth, Sara Masüger and Yinka Shonibare CBE among others.
Paul will also be involved in two other group exhibitions. The first at  Messum, London, and then with the Anima Mundi Gallery for the exhibition  ‘Cogito Ergo Sum’ in late August 2020.
The exhibition WINTER PROJECTIONS at Snape Maltings will be a compilation of Benney’s recent digital/painting hybrid video projections on the exterior walls of the Snape buildings. October 2020.
Lastly, Paul will also be having a solo exhibition of small works at The Museum of Curiosities in London. October 2020.

Paul Benney is happy to announce his participation in the following exhibitions over the coming months.

Currently open at the Finland National Museum, Helsinki ‘INSPIRATION – ICONIC WORKS is a major traveling exhibition that contains work by Marina Abramović, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Nancy Fouts, Mark Karasick, Ola Kolehmainen, and Jeff Koons, Joseph Kosuth, Sara Masüger and Yinka Shonibare CBE among others.

Paul will also be involved in two other group exhibitions. The first at  Messum, London, and then with the Anima Mundi Gallery for the exhibition  ‘Cogito Ergo Sum’ in late August 2020.

The exhibition WINTER PROJECTIONS at Snape Maltings will be a compilation of Benney’s recent digital/painting hybrid video projections on the exterior walls of the Snape buildings. October 2020.

Lastly, Paul will also be having a solo exhibition of small works at The Museum of Curiosities in London. October 2020.

Dr Nicola Jennings, director of the Colnaghi Foundation, talks to Paul Benney about his work and influences.

Paul Benney on BBC Newsnight

Paul Benney will be exhibiting the work ‘Dying Slave : 13th Station’ in London from March 16th – March 24th, 2018 at the Church of St. Stephen Walbrook. The work is on show as part of the ‘Stations of the Cross’ exhibition curated by Ben Moore of Art Below.  Please RSVP to the studio or rsvp@artbelow.com to attend the private view on March 15th.

Paul Benney will be contributing new work to the upcoming winter exhibition at Anima-Mundi. Please contact the studio for more information or if you would like to attend the private view.

VERNISSAGE : Friday, 15th December 2017, 6.30 – 8.30 pm

AT : Anima–Mundi, Street an Pol, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 2DS, UK

Paul Benney’s work ‘Reliquary Reliquary [Miniature], 2017. 9 x 9 cm.’ will be on exhibition at the Stash Gallery for their show ‘Show Us Yer Smalls!’.  Curated by Sophie Parkin, This Exhibition showcases artworks of miniature size runs till 19th January 2018. Please see below for more details.

The Crypt,
30 Prescot Street
London E1 8BB

THANK YOU to everyone who came to see Paul Benney’s exhibition of ‘Speaking in Tongues‘ and ‘Reliquary Series‘ during this year’s 57th Venice Biennale. We have had thousands of visitors over the last 6 months and appreciate the wonderful feedback and engagement with the exhibition.

A very special thanks to all those who helped turn this exhibition into a reality including:
Our WONDERFUL Patrons,
Francesca Giubilei and Luca Berta of ‘The Venice Art Factory’,
The WeExhibit team,
Jayhawk Fine Art Ltd.
The Diocesi Patriarcato di Venezia
Curators Flora Fairbairn and James Putnam
The University of the Arts London
The Anima-Mundi Gallery

Thank you to Renegade Productions for the interview with Paul Benney that appeared on Channel 4 Documentary “The Queen and Her Animals’.  Paul Benney was happy to discuss the process of painting the work ‘Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with Gold Cup winner, Estimate’ in 2015. The Full documentary can be found on Channel 4 OnDemand.

Congratulations to Sophie Parkin and the artists who donated their work to the Grenfell Charity Auction at Vout-o-Reenes. We’re happy to announce the auction raised a staggering £28,000 for the survivors of Grenfell Tower. Thank you all for your support.

Congratulations to Sophie Parkin and the artists who donated their work to the Grenfell Charity Auction at Vout-o-Reenes. We’re happy to announce the auction raised a staggering £28,000 for the survivors of Grenfell Tower. Thank you all for your support.

The film, WINTER, directed by Heidi Greensmith, starting Tommy Flannagan, and featuring works by Paul Benney, is now available to stream in the United States on Flix Premiere.

A courageous debut feature film, WINTER tells the story of a father’s emotional breakdown and explores the arbitrary nature of violence and the aftermath of loss.

The film, WINTER, directed by Heidi Greensmith, starting Tommy Flannagan, and featuring works by Paul Benney, is now available to stream in the United States on Flix Premiere.

A courageous debut feature film, WINTER tells the story of a father’s emotional breakdown and explores the arbitrary nature of violence and the aftermath of loss.

Paul Benney’s ‘Speaking in Tongues’ and ‘Reliquary’ series will be on exhibition in Venice from

 11 May – 26 Nov 2017 at the Chiesa di San Gallo in Venice, Italy.

More information about the exhibition can be found on paulbenneyvenice.com 

Map to S. Gallo from St Marks Square

ARTSY

A collection Of Paul Benney’s work is now available on ARTSY. Among the works listed are the breathtaking original works in Benney’s ‘Scrying Mirror’ series, a variety of his Limited Edition Silver Giclee Prints, as well as an array of works.

For more information, please visit the ARTSY Website.

ARTSY

A collection Of Paul Benney’s work is now available on ARTSY. Among the works listed are the breathtaking original works in Benney’s ‘Scrying Mirror’ series, a variety of his Limited Edition Silver Giclee Prints, as well as an array of works.

For more information, please visit the ARTSY Website.

Vout-O-Reenee’s
The Crypt,
30 Prescot St,
London
E1 8BB

Vout-O-Reenes is holding a charitable auction on 30^th of June, 2017 to raise money to help the survivors of the Grenfell tower tragedy. Organised by Sophie Parkin, Vout-O-Reenes has secured a wide selection of artworks by over 20 different artists. Paul Benney is honoured to donate a Limited Edition Silver Giclee print of his work ‘Host’ to this worth cause. All proceeds from the auction will go to the survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Vout-O-Reenee’s
The Crypt,
30 Prescot St,
London
E1 8BB

Vout-O-Reenes is holding a charitable auction on 30th of June, 2017 to raise money to help the survivors of the Grenfell tower tragedy. Organised by Sophie Parkin, Vout-O-Reenes has secured a wide selection of artworks by over 20 different artists. Paul Benney is honoured to donate a Limited Edition Silver Giclee print of his work ‘Host’ to this worth cause. All proceeds from the auction will go to the survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Anima-Mundi
Open From 30/6/2017 – 29/7/2017

After the categorical success of Paul Benney’s ‘Speaking in Tongues’ in this year’s 57th Venice Biennale, The Anima – Mundi gallery in St Ives is now exhibiting a large scale Silver Leaf Giclee Print of ‘Speaking in Tongues’. Like the exhibition in Venice, the work is accompanied by smaller Silver Giclee Prints of Benney’s ‘Reliquary’ series.

Anima-Mundi
Street-an-Pol
St Ives Cornwall
TR26 2DS

Anima-Mundi
Open From 30/6/2017 – 29/7/2017

After the categorical success of Paul Benney’s ‘Speaking in Tongues’ in this year’s 57th Venice Biennale, The Anima – Mundi gallery in St Ives is now exhibiting a large scale Silver Leaf Giclee Print of ‘Speaking in Tongues’. Like the exhibition in Venice, the work is accompanied by smaller Silver Giclee Prints of Benney’s ‘Reliquary’ series.

Anima-Mundi
Street-an-Pol
St Ives Cornwall
TR26 2DS

Anima-Mundi
Open From 30/6/2017 – 29/7/2017

After the categorical success of Paul Benney’s ‘Speaking in Tongues’ in this year’s 57th Venice Biennale, The Anima – Mundi gallery in St Ives is now exhibiting a large scale Silver Leaf Giclee Print of ‘Speaking in Tongues’. Like the exhibition in Venice, the work is accompanied by smaller Silver Giclee Prints of Benney’s ‘Reliquary’ series.

Anima-Mundi
Street-an-Pol
St Ives Cornwall
TR26 2DS

Anima-Mundi
Open From 30/6/2017 – 29/7/2017

After the categorical success of Paul Benney’s ‘Speaking in Tongues’ in this year’s 57th Venice Biennale, The Anima – Mundi gallery in St Ives is now exhibiting a large scale Silver Leaf Giclee Print of ‘Speaking in Tongues’. Like the exhibition in Venice, the work is accompanied by smaller Silver Giclee Prints of Benney’s ‘Reliquary’ series.

Anima-Mundi
Street-an-Pol
St Ives Cornwall
TR26 2DS

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/218923025[/vimeo]

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/218923025[/vimeo]

Paul Benney’s interview with Marialaura Bidorini at the 57th Venice Biennale 2017, in front of San Gallo Church.

Benney Studios is proud to announce from May to November 2017, Paul Benney’s monumental painting ‘Speaking in Tongues’ will be exhibited alongside a holophonic sound installation and his ‘Reliquary’ paintings at the Venice Biennale.

A video tour of Paul Benney’s Solo Show ‘Scrying Mirror’ at the Anima Mundi Gallery:

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/191633145?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=29220[/vimeo]

An Interview with Paul Benney about his show ‘Scrying Mirror’ at the Anima Mundi Gallery:

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/190885100[/vimeo]

A video tour of Paul Benney’s Solo Show ‘Scrying Mirror’ at the Anima Mundi Gallery:

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/191633145?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=29220[/vimeo]

An Interview with Paul Benney about his show ‘Scrying Mirror’ at the Anima Mundi Gallery:

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/190885100[/vimeo]

Please save the date for the preview evening of Paul Benney’s solo exhibition ‘Scrying Mirror’ at the Anima Mundi Gallery in St. Ives, Cornwall.

‘Scrying Mirror’
Anima Mundi 
Street-An-Pol, St. Ives, Cornwall TR26 2DS
The Preview Evening will be:
Saturday 12th November, from 7 – 9 pm. 

Anima Mundi:
Street-An-Pol, St. Ives, Cornwall TR26 2DS

The exhibition will continue until 10th January 2017. 

Please save the date for the preview evening of Paul Benney’s solo exhibition ‘Scrying Mirror’ at the Anima Mundi Gallery in St. Ives, Cornwall.

‘Scrying Mirror’
Anima Mundi 
Street-An-Pol, St. Ives, Cornwall TR26 2DS
The Preview Evening will be:
Saturday 12th November, from 7 – 9 pm. 

Anima Mundi:
Street-An-Pol, St. Ives, Cornwall TR26 2DS

The exhibition will continue until 10th January 2017. 

 ANIMA-MUNDI AT THE HERRICK GALLERY

“Listen closely… the eternal hush of silence goes on and on throughout all this, and has been going on, and will go on and on. This is because the world is nothing but a dream and is just thought of and the everlasting eternity pays no attention to it.”
-Jack Kerouac

FROM SILENCE

Show Dates: 17th October – 5th November, 2016
Address: Herrick Gallery, 93 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, W1J 7NQ (Nearest underground is Green Park)
Private View : Monday, October 17th. 6:00-8:00 PM.
Please contact the studio to request an invitation to the Private View

The exhibition contains works by (in alphabetical order) : Laura J Adams, Simon Allen, Simon Averill, Sarah Ball, Samuel Bassett, Trevor Bell, Paul Benney, Beatrice Brown, Mat Chivers, Steve Goddard, Andrew Hardwick, Youki Hirakawa, Sax Impey RWA, Arthur Lanyon, Richard Nott, Peter Randall-Page RA, Tim Shaw RA, Jarno Vesala, Joy Wolfenden Brown, Carlos Zapata

More information on the ‘Behind Silence’ show can be found HERE

 ANIMA-MUNDI AT THE HERRICK GALLERY

“Listen closely… the eternal hush of silence goes on and on throughout all this, and has been going on, and will go on and on. This is because the world is nothing but a dream and is just thought of and the everlasting eternity pays no attention to it.”
-Jack Kerouac

FROM SILENCE

Show Dates: 17th October – 5th November, 2016
Address: Herrick Gallery, 93 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, W1J 7NQ (Nearest underground is Green Park)
Private View : Monday, October 17th. 6:00-8:00 PM.
Please contact the studio to request an invitation to the Private View

The exhibition contains works by (in alphabetical order) : Laura J Adams, Simon Allen, Simon Averill, Sarah Ball, Samuel Bassett, Trevor Bell, Paul Benney, Beatrice Brown, Mat Chivers, Steve Goddard, Andrew Hardwick, Youki Hirakawa, Sax Impey RWA, Arthur Lanyon, Richard Nott, Peter Randall-Page RA, Tim Shaw RA, Jarno Vesala, Joy Wolfenden Brown, Carlos Zapata

More information on the ‘Behind Silence’ show can be found HERE

Fundraising Preview Night: 12 September 2016
Art For Youth 2016 Show: 13 September – 15 September 2016

 

Fundraising Preview Night:
September 12th, 2016.
Tickets available HERE

Paul Benney will be having a solo show at Anima Munidi in Cornwall this coming October that will exhibit elements from his ‘Dark Mirror’ series as well as new works that will draw upon some the themes of a ‘Scrying Mirrors’ . More details on this show will be announced soon.

St. Ives, Cornwall, UK.
October 2016

A limited edition sliver giclee print of Paul Benney’s ‘Speaking in Tongues’ will take up the main wall in the downstairs bar of the House of St. Barnabas until the Summer of 2017. The work is a large scale ( 2m x 3m ) reproduction of the original and is also available for sale. The House of St, Barnabas is a not-for-profit members club that focuses on the arts.

The bar area was also curated Paul Benney and includes works by Tim Shaw, Bill Jackson and Susan Derges.

The House of St Barnabas
1 Greek St
London W1D 4NQ
Summer 2016 – Summer 2017

A limited edition sliver giclee print of Paul Benney’s ‘Speaking in Tongues’ will take up the main wall in the downstairs bar of the House of St. Barnabas until the Summer of 2017. The work is a large scale ( 2m x 3m ) reproduction of the original and is also available for sale. The House of St, Barnabas is a not-for-profit members club that focuses on the arts.

The bar area was also curated Paul Benney and includes works by Tim Shaw, Bill Jackson and Susan Derges.

Paul Benney’s post posthumous portrait of Nelson Mandela was unveiled at the Rhodes House in Oxfordshire on June 13th. The new work is on permanent display there and can be seen year round.

Rhodes House
Oxford, OX1 3RG
Permanent Collection

Paul Benney and Benney Studios are happy to announce the installation of a the new sound component that now accompanies ‘Speaking in Tongues’ in Chichester Cathedral.

A short clip of the ‘Sound Wash’ that accompanies the work can he heard below:

Paul Benney’s portrait of Nitin Sawhney is featured on the cover of his new album ‘Dystopian Dream’ as well as during his live performance.

More information about the new album and upcoming shows can be found by clicking on the links below:

Dystopian Dream

Nitin Sawhney’s Upcoming Performances 

Paul Benney and Benney Studios are happy to announce the installation of a the new sound component that now accompanies ‘Speaking in Tongues’ in Chichester Cathedral.
A short clip of the ‘Sound Wash’ that accompanies the work can he heard below:

 

 
Paul Benney will be showing work at the Collyer Bristow Gallery this Summer in Face Value at the Collyer Bristow Gallery.
Face Value, is curated by Kathleen Soriano and sees her undertake a consideration of contemporary portraiture through the work of 27 emerging and established artists, covering a broad range of media from porcelain to thread, from oils to ink, from etching to photography.  Kathleen Soriano spent 18 years of her career as Director of Exhibitions & Collections at the National Portrait Gallery, running the BP Portrait Award for the majority of that time, and is now one of the judges on SkyArts’ successful SkyArts Portrait Artist of the Year series.
Over forty works of art will be presented in an exhibition that celebrates those artists who continue to make portraiture central to their work but who also continue to push the boundaries of the genre.  Artists include Royal Academicians Eileen Cooper, Stephen Chambers and Anthony Green, as well as BP Portrait Award finalists such as Tai Shan Schierenberg, Paul Benney, Ishbel Myerscough and Andrew Tift, plus celebrated contemporary artists like Chris Levine, Annie Kevans, Liz Rideal, Sam Faulkner, Mariele Neudecker, Bouke de Vries and a number of finalists from SkyArts Portrait Artist of the Year.  The exhibition opens on 16 June 2016 and will be on show until 4 October 2016.

Paul Benney will be showing work at the Collyer Bristow Gallery this Summer in Face Value at the Collyer Bristow Gallery.

Face Value, is curated by Kathleen Soriano and sees her undertake a consideration of contemporary portraiture through the work of 27 emerging and established artists, covering a broad range of media from porcelain to thread, from oils to ink, from etching to photography.  Kathleen Soriano spent 18 years of her career as Director of Exhibitions & Collections at the National Portrait Gallery, running the BP Portrait Award for the majority of that time, and is now one of the judges on SkyArts’ successful SkyArts Portrait Artist of the Year series.

Over forty works of art will be presented in an exhibition that celebrates those artists who continue to make portraiture central to their work but who also continue to push the boundaries of the genre.  Artists include Royal Academicians Eileen Cooper, Stephen Chambers and Anthony Green, as well as BP Portrait Award finalists such as Tai Shan Schierenberg, Paul Benney, Ishbel Myerscough and Andrew Tift, plus celebrated contemporary artists like Chris Levine, Annie Kevans, Liz Rideal, Sam Faulkner, Mariele Neudecker, Bouke de Vries and a number of finalists from SkyArts Portrait Artist of the Year.  The exhibition opens on 16 June 2016 and will be on show until 4 October 2016.

Curated by Jason Colcin-Carter and Becca Pelly, ‘In The End We Are All Alone’ brings together a number of artists that will explore the nature of humanity and the eternal search of meaning in our daily lives.

The show is being held at the Griffin Galley  and runs from 17 March – 22 April 2016.

“Like musical prodigies, these artists have been chosen for their capacity to reinterpret traditional mediums and techniques in unexpected ways: Paul Benney, Bartholomew Beal, Jimin Chea, Guillemette Monchy, Dorte Kloppenborg Scrummager and Guy Hadden Grant. An international collective that screams zeitgeist, brought together by a visionary art agency with Colchin-Carter at the helm who, like Simco (Stefan Simchowitz) in the US, is changing the status quo and giving collectors access to some of the brightest rising stars of this generation.

“I see the resurgence of traditional skills like drawing, painting and sculpting as a reaction to the YBA’s turning 50. They are now BA’s and still very relevant, but artists like Beal or Jimin seem to really strike a chord with collectors looking for something new, where the hand of the artist is really palpable,” says Colchin-Carter.

It is a welcome tonic to the mechanical and deliberately impersonal Postmodernism that dominated the turn of the century in contemporary galleries and museums.”

Curated by Jason Colcin-Carter and Becca Pelly, ‘In The End We Are All Alone’ brings together a number of artists that will explore the nature of humanity and the eternal search of meaning in our daily lives.

The show is being held at the Griffin Galley  and runs from 17 March – 22 April 2016.

“Like musical prodigies, these artists have been chosen for their capacity to reinterpret traditional mediums and techniques in unexpected ways: Paul Benney, Bartholomew Beal, Jimin Chea, Guillemette Monchy, Dorte Kloppenborg Scrummager and Guy Hadden Grant. An international collective that screams zeitgeist, brought together by a visionary art agency with Colchin-Carter at the helm who, like Simco (Stefan Simchowitz) in the US, is changing the status quo and giving collectors access to some of the brightest rising stars of this generation.

“I see the resurgence of traditional skills like drawing, painting and sculpting as a reaction to the YBA’s turning 50. They are now BA’s and still very relevant, but artists like Beal or Jimin seem to really strike a chord with collectors looking for something new, where the hand of the artist is really palpable,” says Colchin-Carter.
It is a welcome tonic to the mechanical and deliberately impersonal Postmodernism that dominated the turn of the century in contemporary galleries and museums.”

‘SPEAKING IN TONGUES’ is currently on view in CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL’s North Transept until Wednesday May 18th, 2016. For information on attending a private reception onApril 1st 2016 please contact the studio directly. [ info@benneystudios.com ].

CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL
Chichester
PO19 1PX
MARCH 11- MAY 18, 2016.
Open Daily with Free Entry

‘SPEAKING IN TONGUES’ is currently on view in CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL’s North Transept until Wednesday May 18th, 2016. For information on attending a private reception onApril 1st 2016 please contact the studio directly. [ info@benneystudios.com ].

CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL
Chichester
PO19 1PX
MARCH 11- MAY 18, 2016.
Open Daily with Free Entry

PAUL BENNEY’s ‘Crucifixion’ work is now on view at Marylebone Parish Church and will be on view until May 12th, 2016.

MARYLEBONE PARISH CHURCH
17 Marylebone Rd,
London NW1 5LT
FEBRUARY 8 – MAY 16, 2016.
Open Daily with Free Entry

PAUL BENNEY’s ‘Crucifixion’ work is now on view at Marylebone Parish Church and will be on view until May 12th, 2016.

MARYLEBONE PARISH CHURCH
17 Marylebone Rd,
London NW1 5LT
FEBRUARY 8 – MAY 16, 2016.
Open Daily with Free Entry

This Joint show will feature new silver giclee prints from Paul Benney in collaboration with Jamie Foale [Foale & Sons].

All works are editions of 25.

You can place your order with the studio directly

nick@benneystudios.com

The work of

BILL JACKSON

JENNIE AND CALLY CALLOMON

CATHERINE LYNDSAY DAVIES

and JO LOWRY

will also be on view.

This Joint show will feature new silver giclee prints from Paul Benney.

All works are editions of 25.

You can place your order with the studio directly

nick@benneystudios.com

The work of

BILL JACKSON

JENNIE AND CALLY CALLOMON

CATHERINE LYNDSAY DAVIES

and JO LOWRY

will also be on view.

Parts of the AutoAsphyxiation series were recently on view at ‘The Friends of The Sands Point Reserve’ charity function hosted by Iris Apfel to help save the Historical Hempstead House.

We hope the function was a great success.

The Dorian Grey Gallery was happy to host tea for Patrick Macdonald

amidst the works for Paul Benney and Louis Renzoni.

More coverage of the event can be found

HERE

The Dorian Grey Gallery was happy to host tea for Patrick Macdonald

amidst the works for Paul Benney and Louis Renzoni.

More coverage of the event can be found

HERE

Thank you to all who attended the opening of the ‘Behind the Silence’, a joint show with Simon Edmondson at the Serena Morton Gallery.

Please contact the gallery or the studio for a list of available works.

nick@benneystudios.com

Thank you to all who attended the opening of the ‘Behind the Silence’, a joint show with Simon Edmondson at the Serena Morton Gallery.

Please contact the gallery or the studio for a list of available works.

nick@benneystudios.com

Thank you to all who came to the opening of ‘Ecliptic’ at the Dorian Grey Gallery.

The AutoAsphyxiation and Dark Mirror series were are great success.

Both series are available through the Dorian Grey Gallery and the studio.

  Please contact doriangreygallery@gmail.com

or nick@benneystudios.com for a list of available works.

Thank you to all who came to the opening of ‘Ecliptic’ at the Dorian Grey Gallery.

The AutoAsphyxiation and Dark Mirror series were are great success.

Both series are available through the Dorian Grey Gallery and the studio.

  Please contact doriangreygallery@gmail.com

or nick@benneystudios.com for a list of available works.

‘Ecliptic’ 
New York, USA.
Opening: Thursday, October 8, 2015.  6 – 9 PM
Show Runs October 8 – November 15
Dorian Grey Gallery
437 E9th St, New York.
RSVP: doriangreygallery@gmail.com

‘Behind the Silence’
London, UK.
Opening Wednesday, November 4, 2015. 6 – 8 PM.
Show Runs : November 4 – November 27
Serena Morton Gallery
343 Ladbroke Grove
London W10 6HA
RSVP: nick@benneystudios.com

‘Behind the Silence’
London, UK.
Opening Wednesday, November 4, 2015. 6 – 8 PM.
Show Runs : November 4 – November 27
Serena Morton Gallery
343 Ladbroke Grove
London W10 6HA
RSVP: nick@benneystudios.com

Save the Date : 4 November

Paul Benney joins, Fair & Co and Seth Stein Architects to merge art and architecture in a rotating art space curated by Philly Adams and Flora Fairbairn. Paul Benney’s ‘Crucifixion’ is one of the works to be featured in this exciting new exhibition.

The Show will be open  Wednesday – Saturday 12-6PM from 22 July 2015 – 19 September 2015 and take place at 9 Hillgate Street, London W8 7SP.

Please contact the studio if you would like to attend the private viewing or arrange a visit.

Crucifixion, 2015. 66 x 71 in. Oil on Canvas.

Paul Benney joins, Fair & Co and Seth Stein Architects to merge art and architecture in a rotating art space curated by Philly Adams and Flora Fairbairn. Paul Benney’s ‘Crucifixion’ is one of the works to be featured in this exciting new exhibition.
The Show will be open  Wednesday – Saturday 12-6PM from 22 July 2015 – 19 September 2015 and take place at 9 Hillgate Street, London W8 7SP.
Please contact the studio if you would like to attend the private viewing or arrange a visit.

Crucifixion, 2015. 66 x 71 in. Oil on Canvas.

Continuing the collaboration between Paul Benney and Nitin Sawhney, Paul’s portrait of Nitin will be the cover of ‘Dystopian Dream’, the forthcoming album due out later this year.
More information about the release can be found below as well as Paul and Nitin’s musical collaboration.
Dystopian Dream 
Modern Times  – A Paul Benney and Nitin Sawhney Musical Collaboration.

2013. 91.5 x 61 cm. Oil on Canvas. Private Collection.

Paul Benney is delighted to have participated in judging this years Koestler Trust Awards. The awards recognise distinguished artwork from several different genres submitted by inmates from HM prisons throughout the United Kingdom.
The selected work will be on exhibition at the Southbank Centre in October of this year
This years judges included Gavin Graham, Linda Heathcote Amory, Carol Wates, Chris Ingram and have included Grayson Perry, Sara Lucas in the past.
More information can be found at the links below.
Koestler Trust Awards
PostsKoestler Trust Judges 
 

Paul Benney is delighted to have participated in judging this years Koestler Trust Awards. The awards recognise distinguished artwork from several different genres submitted by inmates from HM prisons throughout the United Kingdom.

The selected work will be on exhibition at the Southbank Centre in October of this year

This years judges included Gavin Graham, Linda Heathcote Amory, Carol Wates, Chris Ingram and have included Grayson Perry, Sara Lucas in the past.

More information can be found at the links below.

Koestler Trust Awards

PostsKoestler Trust Judges 

Paul Benney will be travelling to New York and showing at Dorian Grey Gallery in October, 2015 with fellow artist Louis Renzoni. Their work will focus on the theme of ‘Illumination’ and will mark his return to New York City after a long hiatus. Please contact the studio for more information or to arrange a viewing.

More information about the Dorian Grey Gallery and Louis Renzoni can be found below:

Dorian Grey Gallery

Louis Renzoni 

Paul Benney and Simon Edmondson will be collaborating for an upcoming show at the Serena Morton Gallery in Notting Hill. Both artists will be showing new work that can be seen as oblique homages to the films and writings of Andrey Tarkovsky.  The exhibition is scheduled to open on November 4, 2015 and will continue for the month. Please contact the studio if you would like more details or to be considered for a private viewing.

More information about Simon Edmondson and Serena Morton can be found below:

Serena Morton 
Simon Edmondson

Paul Benney will be travelling to New York and showing at Dorian Grey Gallery in October, 2015 with fellow artist Louis Renzoni. Their work will focus on the theme of ‘Illumination’ and will mark his return to New York City after a long hiatus. Please contact the studio for more information or to arrange a viewing.
More information about the Dorian Grey Gallery and Louis Renzoni can be found below:
Dorian Grey Gallery
Louis Renzoni 

Paul Benney and Simon Edmondson will be collaborating for an upcoming show at the Serena Morton Gallery in Notting Hill. Both artists will be showing new work that can be seen as oblique homages to the films and writings of Andrey Tarkovsky.  The exhibition is scheduled to open on November 4, 2015 and will continue for the month. Please contact the studio if you would like more details or to be considered for a private viewing.
More information about Simon Edmondson and Serena Morton can be found below:
Serena Morton 
Simon Edmondson

Paul Benney is proud to have contributed to the exhibition ‘Last of the Tide’, a collection of 12 portraits of selected D-Day veterans by 12 different portraits. Benney’s portrait of former captain of the 1st Battalion and Anti-Tank Commander Brian Stewart is one of the twelve portraits commissioned by HRH The Prince of Wales to pay tribute to some of the extraordinary men that played a role in the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. All twelve of the veterans chosen for the commissions served in regiments with which The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have a formal affiliation. Thank you to the Royal Collection Trust and the generous patrons for their vision and commitment in celebrating these distinguished veterans.

The Portraits comprising the ‘Last of the Tide’ exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery will remain in situ until the beginning of November.  [Please note that the room in which the portraits are displayed may be closed on certain days. ] In January 2016 the exhibition will travel to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the portraits will on display until April, 2016.

More details can be found at the links below:

Last of the Tide : Portraits of the D-Day Veterans

The Guardian Review

Holyroodhouse

Paul Benney is proud to have contributed to the exhibition ‘Last of the Tide’, a collection of 12 portraits of selected D-Day veterans by 12 different portraits. Benney’s portrait of former captain of the 1st Battalion and Anti-Tank Commander Brian Stewart is one of the twelve portraits commissioned by HRH The Prince of Wales to pay tribute to some of the extraordinary men that played a role in the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. All twelve of the veterans chosen for the commissions served in regiments with which The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have a formal affiliation. Thank you to the Royal Collection Trust and the generous patrons for their vision and commitment in celebrating these distinguished veterans.
The Portraits comprising the ‘Last of the Tide’ exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery will remain in situ until the beginning of November.  [Please note that the room in which the portraits are displayed may be closed on certain days. ] In January 2016 the exhibition will travel to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the portraits will on display until April, 2016.
 
More details can be found at the links below:
Last of the Tide : Portraits of the D-Day Veterans
The Guardian Review
Holyroodhouse

The 2014 BP Portrait Award exhibition including Paul Benney’s portrait of Fergus Henderson travels to the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, The Scottish National Portrait Gallery and The Aberystwyth Arts Centre.  The show is now closed.

More information about these venus can be found below

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens 

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery 

The Aberystwyth Arts Centre 

Congratulations to the team behind the film ‘Winter’ which features many of Paul Benney’s recent ‘Night Painting’ series. The film received 7 New York City International Film Festival nominations and won four of the top awards including Best Drama Film, Best International Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Original Score.

Please look out for this film and Paul Benney’s ‘Night Paintings’ on screen when ‘Winter’ is in wider release later on this year.

More information can be found at the links below:

http://www.winterthefilm.com/

http://www.nyciff.com/nominations

Congratulations to the team behind the film ‘Winter’ which features many of Paul Benney’s recent ‘Night Painting’ series. The film received 7 New York City International Film Festival nominations and won four of the top awards including Best Drama Film, Best International Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Original Score.
Please look out for this film and Paul Benney’s ‘Night Paintings’ on screen when ‘Winter’ is in wider release later on this year.
More information can be found at the links below:
http://www.winterthefilm.com/
http://www.nyciff.com/nominations
 
 
 

The two portraits of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her horse, Gold Cup winner ‘Estimate’, were recently unveiled at the Jockey Club in Newmarket. I was a privilege to spend some time with Her Majesty while I was working on this commission.
 

Paul Benney with HM Queen Elizabeth II

2015. 96 x 122 cm. Oil on Canvas. The Jockey Club.

The two portraits of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her horse, Gold Cup winner ‘Estimate’, were recently unveiled at the Jockey Club in Newmarket. I was a privilege to spend some time with Her Majesty while I was working on this commission.

Paul Benney with HM Queen Elizabeth II

Paul Benney’s work ‘Speaking in Tongues’ will be at Marylebone Parish Church as part of the ‘Stations of the Cross’. Curated by Ben Moore, ‘Stations of The Cross’  presents an exhibition of 20 artists representations of the Passion of Christ at London’s St. Marylebone’s Parish Church in support of the Missing Tom Fund.

Also in the exhibit is Paul Benney’s work ‘St. Jude Thaddeus’ from the 12 Apostle series.

While the show ends on March 17th, ‘Speaking in Tongues’ will be on display through May, 2015.

St. Marylebone Parish Church
Marylebone Road,
London, NW1 5LT

Paul Benney’s work ‘Speaking in Tongues’ will be at Marylebone Parish Church as part of the ‘Stations of the Cross’. Curated by Ben Moore, ‘Stations of The Cross’  presents an exhibition of 20 artists representations of the Passion of Christ at London’s St. Marylebone’s Parish Church in support of the Missing Tom Fund.
Also in the exhibit is Paul Benney’s work ‘St. Jude Thaddeus’ from the 12 Apostle series.
While the show ends on March 17th, ‘Speaking in Tongues’ will be on display through May, 2015.
St. Marylebone Parish Church
Marylebone Road,
London, NW1 5LT