Michelle Benjamin, Pretoria
Member Since November 2013
Artist Statement Michelle Benjamin is well known in the art world as a humanitarian and art activist because of her collaboration with Save the Rhino International (London). Benjamin donates artworks of her rhino pieces to SRI, in the fight against rhino poaching and possible extinction of this endangered species of wild life. On October 16 2012, Benjamin's artwork "It's My Horn" was auctioned at the Prince Albert Suite, The London Zoo, for $1290. All proceeds from this auction were donated to Save The Rhino International (London).
On December 6, 2012, the artist participated in a fundraiser for Coney Island after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, which was held at Soho Gallery for Digital Art, New York. She donated 5 of her artwork images of Coney Island. Benjamin's work is now featuring again at the Soho Gallery for Digital Art Christmas Group Show. Her very popular artworks "Girl from Durban" and "Zoe" are being exhibited from December 12 to December 24 at this show.
Press Release (Agora Gallery, New York, USA)
Michelle Benjamin blends traditional and digital art media to create work that resonates on multiple levels, occupying a unique space in the art world. Benjamin is naturally drawn to silhouettes, especially the stark shape of leafless trees. “They are the most evocative images on earth, and I have this desire to capture as many as I can in my lifetime,” she explains. But she is also drawn to other forms in nature, along with people and cities. The artist uses limited palettes in each piece, often involving complementary colors, which adds a shimmering quality to her work. Benjamin's photographs and sketches undergo digital evolution and transformation in her studio where they are combined with digital design techniques in a dynamic melting pot of traditional and modern art methods.
Michelle Benjamin was born into an artistic family in Durban, South Africa. She currently resides in her native country in the city of Pretoria.
Artist's Statement:
I am drawn to trees without leaves, and silhouettes, which feature quite prominently in my artworks. My favorite traditional medium is charcoal. This comes across strongly in my digital artworks, as I blend the humble charcoal sketch with digital photography and cutting edge graphic design. My photographs and sketches eventually evolve into my unique artworks when they reach my studio.
Wildlife photography has become an important aspect of my artistic journey. I love spending time out in the wild photographing the South African Big Five in their natural habitat.
Every artwork that I create is an experience of my own life. I was there, I saw it happen and I recorded my own personal history as an artist. I am that person who may have sat next to you on the train in the subway or on the bus. Perhaps you are the child or adult who inspired me to sketch or photograph a beautiful scene at the beach or park. Therefore, I invite you to allow my artworks to encourage you, move you and touch your senses.
Peace and Blessings
Michelle
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