Stories & Insights, Meet Benjamin Parks

We recently connected with Benjamin Parks and have shared our conversation below.

Benjamin, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

For over six years, I have dedicated myself to a deeply personal artistic project entitled the ‘Family Series.’ It has been a labor of love, aimed at capturing the essence of my family members through a series of portraits. The series consists of nine paintings that delve into the themes of growing up in a cult, love, and family.

With each stroke of my brush, I imbue the canvas with the weight of years’ worth of personal experiences, triumphs, and challenges. The family portraits serve as a poignant representation of the complexity of relationships and the struggles we encounter. Through these works, my goal is to convey the inherent beauty and depth that reside within the intricate web of our familial connections, as well as the profound sense of isolation that arises when those connections are severed due to religious ideology.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been painting portraits for as long as I can remember, with my earliest memory dating back to when I was four years old, meticulously creating representational artworks.

Throughout my artistic journey, I have had the privilege of showcasing my work in various museum and gallery shows. However, I also take great joy in undertaking commissioned pieces. These commissions often involve creating large-scale modern portraits and figures, which sometimes include multiple family members or even cherished individuals who have passed away.

Engaging in these commissioned projects is a truly remarkable experience for me. Not only do I have the opportunity to connect with the individuals I am portraying, but I also get to delve into their unique stories and experiences during the artistic process. This connection with people and their narratives adds an extra layer of depth and meaning to my work, transforming the act of painting into a rich and meaningful exchange.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

In my opinion, the concept of NFTs initially seemed promising. I contemplated getting involved but ultimately never took the plunge.

The idea of using blockchain technology to verify and authenticate works of art, as well as potentially increasing the value of installation or video art, was intriguing. Moreover, NFTs offered the possibility for individuals to own a piece of art, even if they may not have had the opportunity to possess a physical artwork otherwise.

However, it appears that NFTs may be reaching the end? Whether they will evolve and emerge stronger, or fade away, remains uncertain. Personally, I have always been on the fence about the subject, unable to determine whether it is ultimately beneficial or detrimental to artists.

The future of the blockchain and NFTs is still unknown. Only time will reveal the true impact and potential they hold for the art world, as well as the potential detrimental effects they may have caused.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I honestly can’t help but paint. There is something inside of me that drives me to keep going, even though at times in my life it may seem illogical.

I once heard Vincent Desiderio describe artists as having a “screw loose,” implying that their creative calling is not a matter of choice but an intrinsic aspect of their being. I tend to agree with this sentiment.