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Ben Steele: Modern Tradition or Traditionally Modern
“This exhibition was inspired by where we've been and where I hope we're going, whether that's great art or great political notions. I especially love building a Boston-themed show, because the city is so integral to our origins as a country. I like to feel those parallels of creation as an artist. Each piece I compose is usually a blend of the known (my process) meeting the unknown (another artist’s process). Interpreting another artist’s work constantly gives me the opportunity to learn something new.” - Ben Steele
click to images enlarge and show details
Ben Steele, "Quality Colors," 2024, oil on canvas, 50 x 40 inches, $14,500
"'Quality Colors' celebrates the forward thinking of Isabella Stewart Gardner...how she understood & sought quality art, and then shared it with others. I think "El Jaleo" is by far John Singer Sargent's most interesting piece and Gardner certainly seemed to idealize it, as well."
Click here to see an image of "El Jaleo" in the Gardner Museum collection.
Ben Steele, "The Charles Sparkling Water," 2024, oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches, $10,700
"The background of this painting is inspired by Boston-based Impressionist Childe Hassam.
His painting "Charles River and Beacon Hill" was completed in 1892 and is housed in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts."
Click here to see an image of the piece and learn about the artist.
Childe Hassam at the MFA
Ben Steele, "John Hancock Signature Pencils," 2024, oil on canvas, 45 x 30 inches, $10,500
"'John Hancock Signature Pencils' is meant to be a wink at Hancock's historical significance, both inciting and leading the colonies to independence."
Click here to see an image of "John Hancock" by John Singleton Copley, from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts permanent collection.
Ben Steele, "Red Sox Spray Paint," 2024, oil on canvas, 40 x 50 inches, $14,500
"Fenway Park and the Red Sox are just too hard resist. As a person who loves sports as a metaphor for just about everything,
I enjoyed weaving the realism of the spray can into a graffiti scene with some of the history of the team and stadium."
Ben Steele, "Make Your Mark," 2024, oil on canvas, 45 x 30 inches, $10,500
"Abstract art can say so much with so little. I've always been so taken by the ingenuity of
Rothko's mark making and use of color. As a realist, I envy the simplicity of abstraction.
With "Make Your Mark" I get to live a little vicariously through the greats when I reinterpret them."
Click here to see an image of "White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose)"
by Mark Rothko, 1950...now housed in the private collection of the Royal family of Qatar.
Ben Steele, "Forming Henri," 2024, oil on canvas, 44 x 40 inches, $12,800
"The subject of this painting, "Blue Nude II," from Henri Matisse's iconic "Cut-out" series, was chosen by Ben Steele
in homage to the master artist. Steele modernizes the 1952 image with the use of an equally universal tool, The Lego."
Click here to see an image of "Blue Nude II" and here an audio description.
Ben Steele, "Marilyn Farms," 2024, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches, $9,900
"'Marilyn Farms' is an idyllic woman in an idyllic scene. The subdued rural scene is a great setting for a Pop of color."
Ben Steele at Arden Gallery Ltd., September 2024
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Ben Steele, "StatuEtch of Liberty," 2024, oil on panel, with mixed media frame, 24 x 29 x 4 inches, $9,800
Ben Steele, "StatuEtch of Liberty," 2024, oil on panel, with mixed media frame, 24 x 29 x 4 inches, $9,800
Ben Steele, "Seurat Bather Crayons," 2023, oil on canvas, 30 x 20 inches, $5,100
Ben Steele, "Degas Ballet Crayons," 2023, oil on canvas, 30 x 20 inches - SOLD
Ben Steele, "Van Gogh Sea Crayons," 2023, oil on canvas, 30 x 20 inches - SOLD
Ben Steele, Artist Crayon Boxes, 2023, oil on canvas, 30 x 20 inches, $5,100 each
Ben Steele,
"Censored: Light of Iris (after Georgia O'Keeffe),"
2022, oil on canvas, 24 x 20 inches, $4,200
Ben Steele,
"Censored: Les Demoiselles (after Pablo Picasso),"
2022, oil on canvas, 24 x 20 inches, $4,200
Ben Steele, "WHAAM! Lobster Co.," 2022, oil on canvas, 30 x 45 inches - SOLD
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Ben Steele, "Seventh Inning Sketch," 2022, oil on panel, with mixed media frame, 24 x 29 x 4 inches - SOLD
Ben Steele, "Winslow Crayons," 2022, oil on canvas, 30 x 20 inches - SOLD
Ben Steele, "Turner Sea Spirits/Turner's Tonic," 2021, oil on canvas, 36 x 30 inches, $7,400
“I’ve never referenced J. M. W. Turner before, but have always wanted to because I’m such a fan of his use of color and the way he masterfully abstracted dynamic scenes into beautiful messes of shape and vibrancy. His work is a perfect foil for adding realism back in.” - Ben Steele
click to enlarge and show image details
sold works & installation shots
ABOUT THE ARTIST
With an education built upon classical training, Ben Steele enjoys utilizing the processes of the old masters with a contemporary sensibility, never staying in one place for too long. The result is a wide-ranging body of work, not always still life, portraiture, or landscape...but often somewhere in between. His melding of art history and pop culture references with a classic glaze and scumble technique keeps his ever-changing process current, fresh, and exciting.
129 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116, USA
main: 617-247-0610
mobile: 617-646-9186
ardengallery@gmail.com
Tuesday - Saturday: 11:00 - 6:00
Sunday: 12:00 - 5:00
Monday by appointment
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