ABOUT Benjamin Phillips

My art practice reflects my interest in people and their histories. Sculpting the body is a way to organize my impressions into physical forms. As a child, I was incredibly shy and found it difficult to engage in direct conversations with others, however I learned to watch and listen intensely, and this became integral to my artistic process. Equally important is my choice of material and how its physical properties literally and symbolically support how I choose to represent my subject. For example, in my earlier works in bronze statuary I drew inspiration from the metal's physical strength and resilience. This served as a supporting metaphor to explore manhood from within and consider its vulnerabilities in a permanent and conventionally masculine material.

Through my work, I explore the interior and exterior dialogues that arise from this interplay, revealing the richness of personal conflict and imperfection that characterizes the human condition. I seek to embody the contradictions that I'm sensitive to in my own experiences, such as the contrast between external appearances and internal emotions, curiosities, and expectations, strength and fragility. I also use scale and surface manipulation to spark curiosity in order to slow the viewer's gaze and encourage contemplation and reflection.

My artworks represent multifaceted subjects, exploring uncertainty and fragility to evoke compassion, curiosity, and reflection. Ultimately, my goal is to merge Classical form with timeless human experiences, such as memory, empathy, and change that creates a lasting resonance with the viewer.

I was raised in rural Nova Scotia, and graduated from Acadia University (BA), the University of Victoria (BFA) and Arizona State University (MFA), I am a winner of the 2024 Stanley Bleifeld Memorial Grant from the National Sculpture Society, an Arts Abroad Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts (2024), and a two-time winner of the international Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation. I have exhibited locally and internationally in Canada and the United States, most recently showing at Brookgreen Gardens, SC (2025, 2024), Indianapolis art Center, IN (2024) and Udinotti Gallery in Paradise Valley, Arizona (2022). Notable artist residencies include the Corporation of Yaddo, Vermont Studio Center and the Ottawa School of Art.

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

EDUCATION

SELECTED AWARDS

2024 Canada Council for the Arts "Arts Abroad Grant", Canada

2024 Stanley Bleifeld Memorial Grant, U.S.A.

2014 2nd Place, Figureworks Art Prize 2014 Finalists Exhibition, Canada
2011 National Sculpture Society Scholarship, U.S.A.
2011 Susan Furini Memorial Scholarship, Tempe, AZ
2011 Tempe Artist Guild Scholarship, Tempe, AZ
2011 Nathan Cummings Summer Travel Award, ASU
2011 Magadini Award, Arizona Artist Guild, AZ
2011 Guild Award, Arizona Artist Guild, AZ
2010 National Sculpture Society Scholarship, U.S.A.
2010 The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, International
2009 National Sculpture Society Scholarship, 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, Canada
1998 The Helen Pitt Bursary for the Fine Arts, University of Victoria, BC

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:

2025 National Sculpture Society Honor's Exhibition, Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC

2024 National Sculpture Society's 91st Annnual Awards Exhibition, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN

2024 National Sculpture Society's 91st Annnual Awards Exhibition, Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC

2022 Site Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY, online exhibition

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

2021 Michael Rose Gallery, Pawtucket, RI, online exhibition

2021 Verum Ultimum Gallery, Portland OR online exhibition

2021 Exhibizone-2021, online exhibition

2021 Art Fluent, online exhibition

2020 "CoviDreams: Dreams Into Being" online platform event. (In person reception 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 Brain and Mental Health Art Show, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, ON
2015    "Figureworks 6th Annual Finalists Exhibition", 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    "Positive-Negative 29" guest-curated by Buzz Spector, Slocumb Galleries, E. Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
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    "National Compact" 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

2022 Artist Workshop and Keynote, Udinotti Museum of Figurative Art, Paradise Valley, AZ

2020 Artist Lecture, Research in Art: Salon 95, Ottawa, ON

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 Lecture, Capilano College, North Vancouver