MURWILLUMBAH VISUAL artist and Studio88 owner David Benson is your featured artist for the Murwillumbah Art Trail 2018 (MAT18).
David has been a visual artist since he left art school in Paddington, Sydney, in 1978 and since that time he’s experienced much of what the world has to offer in the way of visual arts.
“After travelling Asia and India for some time, I joined the Hare Krishna in Nepal India,” he said.
“Later in Australia in 1981, I became an initiated Brahmin Gaudia priest at a north Sydney temple and since that time I have owned art galleries in Sydney, Hunter Valley, Aireys Inlet Victoria, Emerald Beach, Alstonville and Coolangatta.
“I am the current owner of Studio88 in Murwillumbah which has also become agents for Pro Hart, the Boyd family artist, Brett Whitely, Ken Jonstone and more.”
Over the years, Alexander has exhibited widely in Australia and has had many solo shows in prominent galleries including his main gallery for 25 years at Micheal Commerford Gallery, Edgecliff, Sydney.
“I have also been a designer for labels like Country Road, Kadu Surf Wear, Holy Cow Creations and more,” he said.
“Presently my studio in Murwillumbah above the Austral Cafe has a varied collection of Asian sculptors and paintings my own jewellery, textiles object arts and of course my artworks, prints and mixed media works on canvas, screen prints, collage, found objects sculptors.”
David has lived in the Tweed Shire for the past 10 years and he’s grown to love the shire’s diversity and beauty.
“As a working artist my passion in the art world is to present to the public things that uplift the soul and represent transcendental concepts and images,” he said.
“These are some off the art that will be presented in Studio88 for MAT18, focusing on my recent travels to Indonesia and specifically Bali and its culture and beauty.
“Anyone interested in art that represents unity in diversity and of spiritual nature can be involved simply by engaging in this show.”
David also spoke about his creative approach to MAT18’s theme of Moving On.
“Moving On means understanding your own nature with all god’s creation and all it has to offer for our upliftment and happiness,” he said.
“My next project will be travelling to India and Bali in winter and finishing my new studio at home which is still in construction.”
Studio88 is located at 88 Murwillumbah Street and will be part of MAT18 from May 18 to May 27.