Teddy Benfield works primarily as a painter and photographer focusing on the genre of still life. His work creates a dialogue between traditional still life genre painting and the relationships individuals have with marketplace and consumerism through ironies and the internet culture of today. Signage, branding and shared imagery combines the modern product with interior space yet has the ability to transform the modern pedestrian back in time and question the space itself. Representational imagery introduces the past to the present and pays homage to a combination of hand painted signs and mark makings as well as the comments of class and value in traditional still life painting while room for abstraction is absorbed within traditional advertisement and still life qualities.
More recently, Benfield's work looks at the perception of interior and exterior space and our relationship with these spaces especially in a time of social distance.
"I can't help but think of Van Gogh's interior depictions when I look at Benfield's art. His pictures have an illustrative beauty but the way he plays with the colour and scenes gives the works an uncanny sense of absence or of being watched. I like the ambivalence of the visual output as well as the themes and symbols he is using." - Vanessa Souli, Curator
ArtConnect asked the winning artists to share with us a glimpse into their creative life to get a sense of their personal inspiration and artistic process.
How did you get started as an artist?
I grew up skateboarding and surfing and was always inspired by logo design and mark making, but it wasn't until I was a sophomore at Union College (2012) that I took an introduction to painting class and started making art with a future in mind.
How would you describe your artistic approach?
I work quickly. After a basic sketch with pencil and crayon I block off large parts of the canvas with house paint and then add paint and mixed mediums layer by layer to create my imagery. I like to develop a background or area through trial and error- often covering up certain things, crossing them out or using a base of different materials mixed into paint to build texture.
I'm inspired by a lot of things. Sports, music, cooking, skateboarding and surfing are outside interests that play a big role in my work. I love finding different color palates in places I wouldn't expect and that plays into my work very regularly. Besides the history of the genre of still life as a whole, I'm inspired by the work of Henri Matisse, Nina Chanel Abney, Daniel Gordon, and the Jean Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol collaboration- to name a few.
What are the biggest challenges you've faced as an artist?
The biggest challenge I've faced as an artist has been learning how to self-manage my career. Staying up to date on deadlines for shows, applications and opportunities and just asking for help was very difficult for me at first and something that I really go out of my way to stay on top of today. I would encourage all young artists to utilize local recourses in their arts community. Have conversations with classmates, fellow artists and gallerists to get a good idea of price points and opportunities.
A typical day in the studio for me begins with checking email, submitted applications, and social media. From there I either stretch canvases, sketch ideas for upcoming paintings or work on whatever painting is at hand. I'll either have music playing (typically Westside Gunn) or some sort of streaming show (just finished Top Boy) playing in the background. I'll take a break for lunch and then usually paint until about 5. I've tried to get myself in the habit of reading a chapter or two of a book before I leave my studio to walk home which tends to be by about 5:30.
Is there a medium, a process, or a technique that you haven't used in your work yet but would like to try out?
I just started introducing ceramics into my work back in January and I've been really into that lately. I used to make a lot of sculptural objects out of handmade paper so next I would like to introduce paper pulp into the clay to make it lighter and more textural.
What are you currently working on? Or an upcoming project you want to mention?
I'm currently working on a body of work inspired by summer imagery in New England. Aquariums, fauna, stadium seats are all recent features in my paintings. Stay tuned!
How does it feel to be selected as an ArtConnect Artist to Watch?
It's exciting! I'm honored to have been chosen and am inspired by my fellow honorees. Thank you to ArtConnect!
Anything else you want to add?
Thank you to Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, Nearby Gallery and The Clay Lounge. All the support and guidance is always appreciated!
See more of Teddy's work
