GAVIN BENJAMIN

Gavin Benjamin is a multifaceted artist who combines original analog photography and appropriated images with collage, paint, and varnish to create rich and luxurious works that call back to baroque traditions while incorporating elements of current culture to provoke, critique, and explore.

 

Born in Guyana, South America and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Benjamin received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. During this time, he worked as an intern for the legendary portrait photographer, Arnold Newman. Benjamin also worked as a black and white and color printer at LTI and Baboo color labs. From there, he went on to work at Edge Reps and Exposure NY, agencies representing commercial and advertising photographers, prop stylists, and hair and makeup artists. After Exposure NY, he worked as a freelance production coordinator/photo editor with stints at Kenneth Cole productions, Esquire Magazine, Hachette Filipacchi Media, and Good Housekeeping Magazine.

 

His work more broadly, investigates and questions the struggles and confrontations that Black men face in America today. The work is glamorous and editorial and visually appealing to any audience. While the work specifically examines Black identity and voice, it is meant for all to enjoy.”