Artist Statement
In my work I am interested in creating a quiet conversation between material interactions, subtle compositional intention, and optical experience. My painting practice involves a time-consuming, layered preparation of a surface composed of gelatin, marble dust, and pigments on linen, which become lustrous grounds for subtle, minimal silverpoint drawings. The fine lines and subtle variations in the grounds are at times nearly invisible until seen very close or at just the right angle. Because of this, the viewer’s proximity to the work, as well as motion relative to sources of light can profoundly change what is perceived.
Artist Biography
M. Benjamin Herndon received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 2012, and an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in 2016. Herndon has been awarded residencies and fellowships at the Vermont Studio Center, the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, and others. He currently lives and works in Providence, Rhode Island, and teaches in the printmaking department at RISD.