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Paul S. Benjamin is a self taught professional artist
who explores art beyond the limits of traditional painting. The Chicago
native exhibited an artistic talent at an early age, but chose to pursue
other endeavors. However his appreciation for all art forms and his desire
to create art continued to grow. He graduated from the University of
Illinois, Champaign-Urbana and built a successful career in corporate
management.
Benjamin’s artwork primarily consists of collage and
acrylic paintings which he develops in individual series. The greatest
sense of his strong story telling capabilities is shown with his mixed
media collages. His approach to creating collage is a kin to painting
with paper. The results produce very detailed, layered work with Cubist
over tones in both color and black and white.
Paul’s works have
graced the walls of galleries, private collections and businesses. Recently
re-locating to Atlanta, Paul is a member of The Chicago Artist Coalition
and the Illinois Artisans Program. Working with a collective group of
artists Paul has exhibited in many group and solo exhibitions including
The South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago. In November of 2003, Paul’s
work was exhibited in Mexico City, Mexico at the Samuel Manache Fine
Arts Gallery.
Paul is making his mark in the art world and was recently
published in Daniel Texidor Parker's book "African Art: The Diaspora
and Beyond" and published again in 2006 in “Unveiled, Photography
by Will Downing and Fine Art By New and Emerging Artists”, published
by ArtJaz Gallery.
Constantly honing his sensibility, imagination and
inventiveness in his work, Benjamin seeks to convey the joys of life
to the viewer. “From the very beginning my thought has been that
I want to create work that is reflective but that expresses the aspect
of African American people that the media does not normally show”.
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences (1988)
Recent exhibitions and juried events:
2005
University Of Illinois “African American Cultural Center” Chicago, Il (Sch 2005)
Fourth Presbyterian Church Gallery Chicago, IL (Scheduled Jan 2005)
2004
Fine Art at the Riverfront Willmington, Delaware 2004
Chicago Artist Coalition “Chicago Art Open 2004” Chicago, IL 2004
South Shore Cultural Ctr. “Daniel T. Parker Collection” Chicago, IL 2004
Chicago Catholic Charities Gala of the Arts Chicago, IL 2004
Tall Grass Arts Foundation Park Forrest, IL 2004
The Tavern Club Gallery Chicago, IL 2004
Susan Woodson Gallery Chicago, IL 2004
Romain Gallery Chicago, IL 2004
Del Gallery Detroit, MI. 2004
University of Illinois “Montgomery Ward Gallery” Chicago, IL. 2004
Pfizer, Inc. “Focusing on the Future Faces of Pfizer” Detroit, MI. 2004
SouthField Regional Library Detroit, MI. 2004
National Black Fine Art Show “2004 New York City” Soho, New York 2004
2003
The Chicago Military Academy - Bronzeville Chicago, IL. 2003
Galeria Samuel Menache Group Exhibition Mexico City, Mexico 2003
Gallery 415 “Blues, Jazz, Dance...That Chicago” Chicago, IL 2003
The Society Inc. The Chicago Chapter for the Arts Chicago, IL. 2003
Tall Grass Arts “48th Annual Art Fair” Chicago, IL. 2003
Illinois Service Federal “23 Annual Art Fair” (2nd Place) Chicago, IL.2003
ETA Creative Arts Foundation Chicago, IL. 2003
ETA Creative Arts Council “Gala 2003” Chicago, IL. 2003
Seaway National Bank “20th Annual Art Fair” (2nd Place) Chicago, IL. 2003
South Shore Cultural Center “23rd Jazz Fest” Chicago, IL. 2003
Tall Grass Fine Arts Gallery Park Forest, IL. 2003
Cafe Luna “One Man Show” Chicago, IL. 2003
Brush Strokes Pottery Bar and Gallery “One Man Show” Chicago, IL. 2003
Gospel Way Covenant Church Chicago, IL 2003
St Ailbe Senior Housing Chicago, IL. 2003
South Shore Cultural Center “Cultural Journeys” Chicago, IL. 2003
2002
South Side Community Art Center Chicago, IL.2002
The Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities Chicago, IL. 2002
Illinois Service Federal Chicago, IL. (1st Place ) 2002
South Shore Cultural Center Chicago, IL. 2002
2001
Our Lady of Good Hope Church Milwaukee, WI 2001
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