Arthur Benjamins | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 22, 1953 |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Known for | painting |
| Website | www.bluebirdpublications.com |
Arthur Benjamins (born June 22, 1953 in Rotterdam) is a Dutch artist who specializes in depicting motor racing, Land-and Water speed record breaking scenes, Abstract, Abstract Iconography, Neoplasticism, Surreal and Science-Fantasy paintings.
Painting career
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Benjamins comes from a lineage of artists. His great grand uncle Jacob J. Arend's work can be found in the museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam. His grandfather created a new style of advertising that formed the bedrock of modern illustrative adverts. Both Willem de Kooning and Piet Mondrian were both Dutch and came to New York in the 1920s and 1930s where they became famous. De Kooning was also born in Rotterdam and Mondrian in Amersfoort - when Benjamins lived. He has claimed that this was always more than a coincidence.
At a Ford showroom in Rotterdam in 1973, Arthur met the future Indianapolis 500 winner, Arie Luyendyk and reigning Formula One champion, Jackie Stewart who gave him encouragement and advice.
Before his star could rise in his home country, in 1974 he left for the UK. In the mid-1970s he became a BRSCC motorracing marshal, attending many races at his local track, Brands Hatch in Kent. From his regular Post 3 haunt there, he witnessed many young drivers like James Hunt, Nelson Piquet, and Nigel Mansell in the early part of their careers prior to becoming Grand Prix drivers and World champions.
In the early 1980s, he received much publicity through many articles in motor racing magazines as Autosport, Motoring News and Motor Benjamins' technique is different from other artists insofar in that he eschews the use of 'traditional' paints, preferring the far more trickier enamel paint.
From his first major exhibition at the rejuvenated 1983 Motor Sports Show at the Cunard Hotel in London, Benjamins had little cause to look back. His works were featured on 'News at Ten' on several occasions and in 1987 BBC motoring programme Top Gear featured him in a 6 minute slot.
About that time his interest in Land-and Water Speed record breakers came to the fore and his first book jacket cover appeared on a related book called, Power Boat Speed by Kevin Desmond which covered powerboating from 1896 onwards. One of his paintings appeared in the Italian version of Pilote Che Gente by Enzo Ferrari and just before his death in 1988, Mr. Ferrari presented Benjamins with a signed copy. In 1990, and with the full approval of designer Mr. Ken Norris, who designed the Bluebird car and boat in which speed record breaker, Donald Campbell broke many speed records, he set up Bluebird Publications that published many of his record breaker prints.[1][2] Other book jackets followed. Leap into Legend by Steve Holter, and Race against the odds again by Kevin Desmond. Benjamins has also embraced the painting of aviation scenes.
In recognition of his service to powerboating via his Speed record breaker paintings, in 2007 he was awarded the Heritage Motorboat Trophy
In early 2014, and after nearly 40 years domiciled in the UK, Benjamins left for Phoenix, Arizona, USA, where, 120 years previous, one of his fore fathers from Rotterdam, Asser Benjamins came through Ellis Island and settled in New York also as an artist. Conversely, he set his name to two US patents in the diamond cutting industry.
Benjamins has revived Neoplasticism, a painting movement which 'officially' lasted from 1917 - 1931 but which fell completely silent when its most well-known champion, Piet Mondrian died in New York in 1944.
Exhibitions
editHis first contact with the motorracing enthusiasts started in 1972 at a small Racing Car Show in the Netherlands, followed by shows in Zandvoort during their Grands Prix there. This is where he received encouragement from Formula One team bosses Ken Tyrrell, Teddy Mayer and driver Emerson Fittipaldi. A 1975 showing at the Whitechapel Art Gallery and a One-Man 1979 London exhibition allowed him to introduce both his motor racing and Science fantasy paintings and which culminated in exhibitions in Venice (Museum of Modern Art) and in Mdina, Malta. From 1983 he became a regular exhibitor at the British Racing Car Shows in London and Birmingham and at the Silverstone Coys festivals and Goodwood Festivals of Speed. In 1998 he had a one-man exhibition at the 'Napier Gallery' on Jersey. The show's patron was a Formula-1 sponsor and was officially opened by the Formula-1 team boss, Eddie Jordan. Since his rise in the UK and outside, Benjamins' painting style has been mimicked by many other emerging painters.
Since his USA arrival, Arthur Benjamins has exhibited in Scottsdale, various Arizona Fine Art Expos, Barrett-Jackson car auctions and various shows in Palm Springs, California. He was invited to support the American Healing Arts Foundation for veterans by teaching Neoplasticism and with which he will continue.
Change of style
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In 2000, he embarked on a period of transition, culminating in a change of painting style which leans towards abstract. Motoring magazine Classic & Sports Car featured a two-page article on his new style. Benjamins has also become a proponent of 'full-on' abstract art, Neoplasticism and Abstract Iconography, which, he states, "seeks to identify any well known figure or object as iconic and to arrive at a point just one heartbeat away from total abstraction"
Design Achievements
editHis designs in the security world of 'closures', that are produced in their many millions, has set his name to around a dozen patents. He has also worked for Formula-1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management as a designer before branching out as a free lance designer of bespoke accessories for motor cycles. He has also designed several fonts and typefaces.
Writing Achievements
editHe has also written his father's 181.000 word biography, To Die Fighting, which takes the reader through his father's early life, through Westerbork, Terezin, Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps and into his later years, covering life in Africa, enduring a sojourn through the war-torn Belgian Congo in search of millions of dollars worth of hidden diamonds. Benjamins is currently searching for a suitable publisher. He also writes short stories which are part fiction and non-fiction
Acting / Extras Achievements
editBenjamins has appeared in various British television soaps, like Family Affairs, Holby City, After You've Gone, adverts, dramas and several Hollywood productions like Death Defying Acts, The Bourne Ultimatum, A Bunch Of Amateurs and a Bollywood series episode. He recently featured as senior newspaper reporter, Don Reid in a Discovery TV drama-docu, I Love The Way You Lie
References
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External links
edit- 1 Pilgrim Studio
- blue bird publications
- Oliver's art
- "The works of Arthur Benjamins", The Autosport bulletin board
DEFAULTSORT:Benjamins, Arthur Category:1953 births Category:Living people Category:Dutch artists Category:People from Rotterdam