James Bennett

Viewers of my work talk about being fascinated with discovering the hidden knowledge contained in the art. Some spend years connecting the dots and are shocked at how deep the information and references go. Science, History, Culture, Philosophy, Religion- it is all included and tied together with conceptual links that are not commonly known. Each piece explores an idea that goes far beyond the sum of its parts.
As an artist, my ultimate goal is for a person to spend a lifetime of discoveries in one of my pieces. The plan is that no matter how deep they dig, they never reach the bottom. In other words, the connections just go on and on.

For me, technique, style, and media are tools for communication. A song written on a piano will sound different if played on a guitar. An accomplished musician should not be limited to a single instrument and neither should an artist be limited to a certain style. All the styles from the history of Art are in our visual vocabulary and they contain meaning. The varied use of style as a means of communication frees the expression of the Modernist restrictions.

Taught at:
The University of South Florida
The International Academy of Design and Technology

Ball State University, BFA
University of South Florida, MFA

New Media Works

2005 “STRUT” (interactive documentary)
2004 “ContextGrove” (interactive art)
2002 “Luddite Roulette” (interactive art)
2002 “Silk Road Journey” (interactive documentary)
2001 “Artist” (interactive art)

Solo Exhibitions

1999 Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa, FL (paintings)
1992 University of South Florida, Tampa, FL (sculptural environment)
1991 Center Gallery, Tampa, FL (paintings, drawings and sculpture)
1988 Creative Arts Center, Muncie, IN (painting, drawings and sculpture)

Group Exhibitions
2012 The Studio@620
2012 Tampa Bay Regional Artist_ Bay Area Show
1991 University of South Florida Art Museum
1990 “Crossover”, Theater Gallery, Tampa, FL (drawings and sculpture)
1990 University of South Florida Art Museum, Tampa, FL (sculpture)
1988 Ball State University Art Gallery, Muncie, IN (drawing)
1988 “Five Imagists”, Emens Auditorium, Muncie IN (drawings)
1988 Suny University at New Paltz, NY (drawings)
1988 Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY (drawings)
1987 The Courthouse Gallery, Muncie, IN (sculpture)
1987 Ball State University Art Gallery, Muncie, IN (sculpture)
1987 Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY (drawings)

Large Scale Works In A Public Place

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