Benjamin Frey

I use many materials but emphasize drawing to convey movement, depth, and perspective. My work is representational, where the real world structures and objects act as an armature for my abstract use of color that invites the imagination and emotions to consider something beyond mere depiction.
I have always loved that drawing captures the essence of something, and I prefer bold lines and gestures to mere photorealism. I am inspired by expressive marks in ancient cave art, the movement in old master drawings, and the perspective and volume conveyed by architectural sketches. For decades I have worked with layered materials and collage techniques, but I want these materials to subtly emerge as my work is experienced. I include antique book pages, sheet music, stencils, and paint into my backgrounds to create a sensual surface, reminding the viewer that handmade artwork is a real object, as well as idea and image, and allowing the content of the materials and pages to enhance the story told by the drawing. I use watercolor pencils, graphite, inks, and pastels to draw, my lines blend with paints as I alternate between painting and drawing. These blurred boundaries add volume, and create a sense of movement. I like my subjects to highlight what may be overlooked in everyday life, playing with memory, movement, and energy and I seek to engage the viewer in a way that invites reflections on time, travels, and the vibrancy of life.