ABOUT

I am a mid-career sculptor based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

I am interested in exploring vulnerability through my sculptures. In contrast to traditional figurative art that often focuses on themes like heroism and sacrifice I sculpt unmonumental bodies in vulnerable positions. I use unprofessional models like myself and my peers in common everyday movements to accomplish this. The simplicity of my sculptures focuses attention towards internal emotional drama conveyed through body language, balance and eccentric surfaces. The work is purposefully ambiguous. My hope is that this promotes reflection and ultimately an empathetic connection to the work, where the viewer sees it as a mirror of their own experiences.

I was raised in rural Nova Scotia in the 1970's. I graduated from Acadia University (BA), the University of Victoria (BFA) and Arizona State University (MFA).

My studies at Arizona State University were supported by 3 consecutive National Sculpture Society awards and a summer research award from the Nathan Cummings Foundation to travel to Italy.

I am a two-time winner of international artist grants from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation. My sculptures have shown in various galleries and museums in the United States and Canada, including Udinotti Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ, Elliot Louis Gallery in Vancouver, BC, the Billboard Creative 2020 Show, Los Angeles, CA, Hopkins Center for the Arts, MN, the Tucson Museum of Art in Tucson, AZ, the Udinotti Museum of Figurative Art in Paradise Valley, AZ, the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in Santa Ana, CA, Eye Lounge Contemporary Art Space in Phoenix, AZ, Access Artist Run Centre in Vancouver, BC and Open Space in Victoria, BC.

In 2011, I participated in the Arizona Biennial, curated by Anne Ellegood of Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, CA.

Benjamin Phillips

EDUCATION

2012 Master of Fine Arts, Sculpture, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, Degree
2008 Art Institute Printmaking, Capilano College, BC, Certificate
2004 Art Institute Sculpture, Capilano College, BC, Certificate
1998 Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors, Visual Arts, University of Victoria, BC, Degree
1995 Bachelor of Arts, Comparative Religion, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Degree

SELECTED AWARDS

2014 2nd Place, Figureworks Art Prize 2014 Finalists Exhibition, International
2011 National Sculpture Society Scholarship, National, U.S.A.
2011 Susan Furini Memorial Scholarship, Tempe, AZ
2011 Tempe Artist Guild Scholarship, Tempe, AZ
2011 Nathan Cummings Graduate Summer Travel Award, ASU
2011 Magadini Award, Arizona Artist Guild, AZ
2011 Guild Award, Arizona Artist Guild, AZ
2010 National Sculpture Society Scholarship, National, U.S.A.
2010 The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, International
2009 National Sculpture Society Scholarship, National, U.S.A.
2009 Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts Special Talent Scholarship, ASU
2008 The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, International
2007 The Shirley Eastcott Memorial Scholarship, Capilano College, North Vancouver, BC
2004 The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation Grant, National, Canada
1998 The Helen Pitt Bursary for the Fine Arts, University of Victoria, BC

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

SOLO:

2020    “Standing Dreaming Shifting Stooping”, Shenkman Art Centre OSA Gallery, Ottawa, ON
2013 “Benjamin Phillips: the Ancestor Series”, Udinotti Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2012 “Without a Guide: II”, Phoenix Ice House, Phoenix, AZ
2012 “Without a Guide: MFA Thesis Exhibition”, Harry Wood Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2011 “Twilight”, The Night Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2011 “Reflection Pool”, Eye Lounge Artist Run Center, Phoenix, AZ
2011 “...Boys Are Weird” Eye Lounge Artist Run Center’s Project Room, Phoenix, AZ
2007 “Chthonian Dialogue”, Access Artist Run Centre’s Project Room, Vancouver, BC
2007 “Discomfort Zones”, Capilano College Studio Arts Gallery, North Vancouver, BC
2005    “Dry Run”, Capilano College Studio Arts Gallery, North Vancouver, BC
2001 “(f)art”, The Lee Building, Vancouver, BC
1999    “Current Works”, Rogue Art Gallery, Victoria, BC
1998    "Duh Duh", Vertical Gallery, of Open Space Artist Run Centre, Victoria, BC

GROUP:

2021 "Identity" Art Fluent Online Gallery Exhibitition.

2020 "CoviDreams: Dreams Into Being" zine and online platform event. (Postponed due to Covid-19)

2020 The Billboard Creative February 2020 Show, Los Angeles, CA, International

2020 "The 25th Arts North International Juried Art Exhibition", Hopkins, MN, (3rd Place) International

2018 "Figureworks Art Prize 9th Annual Finalists Exhibition", Ottawa, ON International

2018 “Brain & Mental Health Art Show ‘18”, Horticulture Bldg., Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, ON
2017 “From the Museum’s Permanent Collection”, Udinotti Museum of Figurative Art, Paradise Valley, AZ
2014    "Figureworks Art Prize, 5th Annual Finalists Exhibition", Ottawa, ON (2nd Place), International
2014 “Body Language”, Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA, National
2014 “Honestly, ” Bragg’s Pie Factory, Phoenix, AZ
2014 “Downtown Chamber Series” Ice House, Phoenix, AZ
2014 “Positive Negative 29: Pages”, Slocumb Galleries, E. Tennessee State, University, Johnson City, TN, National
2013 Udinotti Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2012 Udinotti Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2011 “Downtown Chamber Series” Phoenix Ice House, Phoenix, AZ
2011    "2011 Arizona Biennial", Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ
2011    "2011 Arizona Artist Guild Scholarship Winners Exhibition", Willo North Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2011    "20”x20”x20: A National Compact Competition", Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, National
2011 “Members Only”, Eye Lounge Artist Run Center, Phoenix, AZ
2011 “Origins”, the Institute for Humanities Research, ASU, Tempe, AZ
2011 “Downtown Chamber Series” Phoenix Ice House, Phoenix, AZ
2010 “You Look Fabulous” Runway Show and Wearable Art Exhibition, Night Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2010 “MFA Summer Exhibition”, guest curator Kim Larkin, Harry Wood Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2010    "2010 Art Detour", Westwind Studios, Phoenix, AZ
2009 “Fire In the Night”, The Night Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2009    “Imagined Geographies”, Bragg’s Pie Factory, Phoenix, AZ
2009 “The Book Expanded”, Step Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2008 “Sculpture Problems”, Harry Wood Annex Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2008 “Steam Punk”, First Studio, Phoenix, AZ
2008 “Flirting with Disaster”, Bragg’s Pie Factory, Phoenix, AZ
2008 Elliot Louis Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2006 “Beyond Borders”, UWW, Bellingham, WA, International
2005 “Sex Art Vote Yes”, Sex Party of BC Campaign Event, Vancouver, BC
2001 International Digital Art Competition & Exhibition, Beecher Center for Technology in the Arts, Youngstown, OH
2001 “Propaganda II, Addicted" Gorilla Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2000    “Quick Draw” Invitational, Open Space Gallery, Victoria, BC

SELECTED ARTIST RESIDENCIES

2015 Ottawa School of Art, Ottawa, ON
2013 The Corporation of Yaddo, Saratoga Springs, NY
2012 Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

Udinotti Museum of Figurative Art, Paradise Valley, AZ
numerous private collections in the United States and Canada

CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

SELECTED AWARDS

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

SOLO:

2022 Udinotti Museum of Figurative Art, Paradise Valley, AZ

2020    Shenkman Art Centre OSA Gallery, Ottawa, ON
2013    Udinotti Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2012 Phoenix Ice House, Phoenix, AZ
2012 Harry Wood Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2011 The Night Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2011 Eye Lounge Artist Run Center, Phoenix, AZ
2011 Eye Lounge Artist Run Center’s Project Room, Phoenix, AZ
2007 Access Artist Run Centre’s Project Room, Vancouver, BC
2007 Capilano College Studio Arts Gallery, North Vancouver, BC
2005 Capilano College Studio Arts Gallery, North Vancouver, BC
2001    The Lee Building, Vancouver, BC
1999 Rogue Art Gallery, Victoria, BC
1998 Vertical Gallery, of Open Space Artist Run Centre, Victoria, BC

GROUP:

2021 Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna, CA, online exhibition

2021 Michael Rose Gallery, Pawtucket, RI, juried virtual exhibition,

2021 Verum Ultimum Gallery, Portland OR online exhibition

2021 Exhibizone-2021, online gallery exhibition

2021 Art Fluent, online gallery exhibition

2020 "CoviDreams: Dreams Into Being" zine and online platform event. (Event postponed due to Covid-19)

2020 The Billboard Creative February 2020 Show, Los Angeles, CA, International

2020 The 25th Arts North International Juried Art Exhibition, Hopkins, MN, (3rd Place) International

2018 Figureworks Art Prize 9th Annual Finalists Exhibition, St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts, Ottawa, ON International

2018 Horticulture Bldg., Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, ON
2017    Udinotti Museum of Figurative Art, Paradise Valley, AZ
2014    St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts, Ottawa, ON (2nd Place) (International)
2014    Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA, National
2014    Bragg’s Pie Factory, Phoenix, AZ
2014 “Downtown Chamber Series” Ice House, Phoenix, AZ
2014    Slocumb Galleries, E. Tennessee State, University, Johnson City, TN, National
2013 Udinotti Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2012 Udinotti Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2011    Downtown Chamber Series, Phoenix Ice House, Phoenix, AZ
2011    2011 Arizona Biennial, Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ
2011    Willo North Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2011    Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, National
2011    Eye Lounge Artist Run Center, Phoenix, AZ
2011    The Institute for Humanities Research, ASU, Tempe, AZ
2011    Downtown Chamber Series, Phoenix Ice House, Phoenix, AZ
2010    Runway Show and Wearable Art Exhibition, Night Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2010    Harry Wood Gallery, Tempe, AZ, guest curator Kim Larkin
2010    2010 Art Detour, Westwind Studios, Phoenix, AZ
2009    The Night Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2009 Bragg’s Pie Factory, Phoenix, AZ
2009    Step Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2008    Harry Wood Annex Gallery, Tempe, AZ
2008    First Studio, Phoenix, AZ
2008    Bragg’s Pie Factory, Phoenix, AZ
2008 Elliot Louis Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2006    UWW, Bellingham, WA, International
2005    Sex Party of BC Campaign Event, Vancouver, BC
2001    Beecher Center for Technology in the Arts, Youngstown, OH
2001    Gorilla Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2000    Open Space Gallery, Victoria, BC

SELECTED ARTIST RESIDENCIES

2015 Ottawa School of Art, Ottawa, ON
2013 The Corporation of Yaddo, Saratoga Springs, NY
2012 Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

Udinotti Museum of Figurative Art, Paradise Valley, AZ
numerous private collections in the United States and Canada

INVITATIONAL TALKS & WORKSHOPS

2014 Artist Lecture, Phoenix College, Phoenix, AZ
2013 Artist Workshop and Lecture, Udinotti Museum of Figurative Art, Paradise Valley, AZ
2012 Artist Workshop and Lecture, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale, AZ
2012 Invited Artist Lecture, Tempe Artist Guild, Tempe, AZ
2011 Invited Artist Lecture for Spirit of the Senses Salon Series, Tempe, AZ
2010 Invited Artist Lecture for the B.F.A. Sculpture Seminar, A.S.U. Tempe, AZ
2009 Chair Student Panel, 2009 National Cast-Iron Art Conference, Birmingham, AL
2006 Invited Artist Talk, Capilano College, North Vancouver