ABOUT BENNA
The subject of my work is often where the sky and water meet. Born and raised in Long Island, NY, the Atlantic coast is where I feel most at home. Frequent visits to the beaches of Fire Island provide me with an endless source of inspiration. In my process, I push the boundaries of realism into abstraction, focusing on the energy of a place rather than its literal representation. In doing so, I invite viewers to reflect on their own personal experiences through my work.
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My abstract works are an exploration of the emotions stirring within me. Central to my intuitive process is the theme of inner peace. I aim to create layered works that capture a mix of despondency and tranquility -- feelings that define my soul. The resulting colorful patterns are visual manifestations of my belief that all people are universally connected. This philosophy is powerfully reflected in the lyric, “We share the same biology regardless of ideology”—words that hold even greater significance today than when they were first written nearly 40 years ago.
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I live and work in New York City and studied at the Art Students League of New York. I held a residency at Trestle Gallery in Brooklyn, NY and since exhibited my work throughout the tri-state area. My paintings reside in pubic and private collections in the USA, UK, Canada, Hong Kong and Brazil.