Ben Pettican

1982
Born in Hull, England

Lives and works in London

Infinite amounts of images pass before our eyes daily, ironically we only see bits. This mass of images produces an almost blinding effect, a kind of selective myopia. I collect these images, words and occurrences, using them in the way that you would use templates. Personal photographs, obscure advertising and images from the media, all become part of the selection process. I work like this in order to build a painting rather than endeavouring to convey an easily readable subject. I bring images to my paintings that are recognisable and place them in a melee of what is ultimately a wealth of lines and forms. I remain committed to exploring this unlimited territory, in a nearly obsessive investigation.

I usually work in an improvisational way. I find this allows for a trial and error approach. I often do not know exactly how my paintings are going to turn out because I do not start with a clear idea. Things I have hoarded, have been looking at, or I have heard, generally begin to filter through into the painting, often subconsciously.

These 'things' then become part of a cataloging process, where the canvas, board or paper, at first appearing as a ...

2007-2008 Byam Shaw School of Art, Central Saint Martins, Univerity of the Arts London: Postgraduate Diploma Fine Art.

2000-2003 Hudderfield University, BA (Hons) Drawing and Painting.

Exhibitions
Final Show, The Concourse Gallery, Byam Shaw School of Art, June 2008
'the third bicycle' - Lauderdale House, Highgate, London - May 2008
'Binocular' - Kingsgate Gallery, West Hampstead, London - April 2008
'Concerning the Great Staircase of Black Marble' - The Concourse Gallery, Byam Shaw School of Art, Archway, London - March 2008
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