Spotlight Artist
Benjamin Terry
West
Artist Statement
I’m interested in narrative.
I’m interested in awkward shapes, lines, colors, interactions,
surfaces, and gestures.
I’m interested in little lies, big lies, specificity, and ambiguity.
I’m interested in the borders between painting and sculpture,
art and function.
I’m interested in the color yellow.
I’m interested in perfect craft. I’m interested in sloppy craft.
I’m interested in the psychology of love and hate.
I’m interested in loud, large marks, and quiet, subtle variations of color.
I’m interested in construction.
I’m interested in context.
I’m interested in gravity. Ultimately, my work is about editing and displaying. It is a reflection of my environment; a constant study of how paintings, drawings, and objects interact, create, and manipulate relationships, and engage viewers. Whether or not I construct strict conceptual guidelines for myself, my work will always be an amalgam of my interests, and I’ll continue to move forward from each successive piece I make. My goal is always to make things that are fresh and challenging.
I’m interested in little lies, big lies, specificity, and ambiguity.
I’m interested in the borders between painting and sculpture,
art and function.
I’m interested in the color yellow.
I’m interested in perfect craft. I’m interested in sloppy craft.
I’m interested in the psychology of love and hate.
I’m interested in loud, large marks, and quiet, subtle variations of color.
I’m interested in construction.
I’m interested in context.
I’m interested in gravity. Ultimately, my work is about editing and displaying. It is a reflection of my environment; a constant study of how paintings, drawings, and objects interact, create, and manipulate relationships, and engage viewers. Whether or not I construct strict conceptual guidelines for myself, my work will always be an amalgam of my interests, and I’ll continue to move forward from each successive piece I make. My goal is always to make things that are fresh and challenging.
Artist's Additional works
Works shared by the artist outside of their featured New American Paintings selections
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