.Martin Benson STATEMENT

My work embodies experiences of exploring the terrain of inner landscapes.   I find that turning my consciousness inward, through practices like meditation, uncovers a universal fabric of interconnectedness.  If there is an absolute, I am on a search to uncover it through the mystery of the creative process and the universal potential of abstraction -- using math, pattern, geometry, and color. 

When I think deeply about my experiences with self-inquiry, I get the feeling we are all just like a rainbow:  beautiful, present, and yet a figment within universal mind.  In "The Rainbow Body" series, I use the color spectrum as a way to point to this transcendent and unifying principle, while at the same time grounding the paintings in something familiar and earthly with horizon lines and atmospheric elements. 

My art is a longing for a future where we can bridge heaven and earth.  It depicts a space of hope and love and a deeply personal expression of the energy I feel in my heart. This kind of personal, spiritual work has a rich history in the western art canon, recently given more context with the emergence of artists like Hilma Af Klint, Agnes Pelton, Emil Bisttram, Anne Cassel, Emma Kunz.  This spiritual approach to art also has a rich history in indigenous art and artistic practices outside of the west. This is something I am deeply interested in and want to continue to explore further.

As I continue to pursue my work and dive inward, I hope that the art manifested from these explorations plays a role in instilling wonder and mystery. I hope the art connects people back inward in a way that deepens their connection to the whole of life. It is from that deep personal connection that we may find a path forward and finally come together here on this planet.  

Statement from www.martinlbenson.com:

Martin Benson's podcast, begun in 2022, and available on all social media platforms is CONCERNING THE SPIRITUAL IN ART.