Benjy Barnhart

Urban Munich in its changing light and moods is the primary setting for my work of the last decade. The places are specific to the „Metropolis on the Isar“ but the primary subject, the figure in the (urban) landscape, is universal. After many years of observing the dynamism and sheer joy of riding in the Munich cycling culture, my focus has shifted to the the subculture of the city that emerges after hours. It is a search for images that go beyond mere documentation to express something more profound about human existence in modern urban environments.

My „Slaughterhouse Subculture“ series has its origin in the graffiti sprayer scene around Munich’s Schlachthof district. My work process begins with a combination of direct observation and photographic documentation. Certain events and scenes resonate beyond the actual moment and these are developed further into a composition through exploratory sketches, digital manipulations, composites. Once I move to the canvas, the image continues to evolve slowly through paint into a compelling image beyond the initial impetus of the moment. Light and movement are particularly important aspects in order to allow the viewer to enter the particular sense of space and atmosphere that I am aiming...

New York Studio School
University of Virginia
Yale Summer Art Program
Chautauqua Summer Art Program
Vermont Studio School

Docent for drawing, painting at Munich Volkshochschule, Art Academy for Fine Art in Kolbermoor and Akthof

2018
Munich Art House, Alte Akademie, Munich
"Danke, es geht uns gut!" Galerie der Künstler, Munich
Ander Art Festival, Odeonsplatz Munich
Bleistift, Papier, fertig! Einstein 28, Munich
Kunst im Karee, Munich

2017
Schlachthof Subkultur, mehrzweckraum Munich
Zweiradgeschichten, Galerie eigenArt, Munich
Work and Method, Akthof, Munich
JA! Kunstverein Ebersberg Annual Invitational
MKG Annual Invitational, Egyptian Museum, Munich
Erst eins, dann zwei..., Galerie der Künstler, Munich

2016
Kollage, Zentrale I-A-M Berlin
Annual Alumni Show, New York Studio School, New York Curator, Farben des Sommers, Trafo Neuhausen, Munich
Kunst im Karee, Türkenhof, Munich

2015
WELTRAUM, Rathausgalerie, Munich
RAUMWELT, Weltraum art off-space, Munich
Kein Einwand! einwand art off-space, Munich
Jahrhundertgaben, WELTRAUM, Munich
Glanz und Gloria, Galerie der Künstler, Munich

2014
Urban Narratives with Dean Pasch, Stadtbibliothek Neuhausen, Munich
Ortstermin Schwabing, Monacensia, Munich
Kunst im Karee, Akthof, Munich
Geschiebe, Galerie der Künstler, Munich

2013
Local Color, Solo Show, Vera Silcox, Roanoke, Virginia
Kunst im Karee, Akthof, Munich

2012
zimmer frei, artists project, Ho...