Trudy Benson Interview

7/18/2019 Trudy Benson Interview

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TRUDY BENSON – INTERVIEW by Steven Cox

HUNTED PROJECTS presents !s"#nt#n$ #ns#$%t to t%e &ork o! Tr'(y

Benson) Brook*yn bse( p#nter represente( by +#ke We#ss ,**ery #n+n%ttn) Ne& York-

Benson.s &ork s%o&"ses !et#s%#se( ppre"#t#on o! p#nt) #n('*$#n$ #nto

t%e p%ys#"*#ty o! t%e /ter#* t%ro'$% 's#n$ (#verse /#x o! bot%

/ter#*s n( pro"esses- T%e v#s'* e*e/ents &#t%#n Benson.s &ork

pper to e/'*te t%e pr#/#t#ve "pb#*#t#es o! er*y) pre0#**'strtor) +S

P#nt or +"P#nt so!t&re) t%o'$% t bse) Benson %#$%*#$%ts t%e

(o&n!**s o! t%e !*t v#rt'* p*ne o! "o/p'ter s"reen- T%e p%ys#"*

1'*#t#es o! Benson.s t%#"k*y pp*#e( p#nt s'r!"es exp*ore t%e #**'s#on o!

sp"e) s &e** s t%e "ret#on o! (ept% t%ro'$% *yers o! bstr"t#on-

J% Co#*) 2342) 5"ry*#") En/e*) Spry P#nt n( O#* on Cnvs) 678 x 698

Cn yo' te** HUNTED PROJECTS bo't yo'rse*! n( yo'r "ret#ve

b"k$ro'n(:



TB; I &s born #n R#"%/on() V#r$#n# n( *#ve( t%ere 'nt#* I /ove( to

Brook*yn #n 2337- I / n bstr"t p#nter) b't &s "t'**y !#$'rt#ve

p#nter t%ro'$%o't /ost o! /y e('"t#on- I</ /rr#e( to not%er p#nter)

R'sse** Ty*er) n( &e %ve t&o "ts to$et%er-

W%en (#( yo'r #nterest &#t%#n t%e rts be$#n:

TB; Ever s#n"e I "n re/e/ber I<ve been (r&#n$ n( p#nt#n$- I

re/e/ber re**y t%#nk#n$ I "o'*( be n rt#st &%en I !o'n( book bo't

Henr# +t#sse t /y e*e/entry s"%oo* book s*e- He<s *&ys been /y

!vor#te rt#st-

W%en v#e&#n$ yo'r &ork) t%e "o/p'ter pro$r/ +#"roso!t P#nt "o/es to

/#n(- =or /ny o! t%e te"%n#1'es yo' pp*y to t%e "nvs pper to be

t%e p%ys#"* or /n'* re*#>t#on o! +S P#nt<s br's%) !#** b'"ket)$r(#ent) pen"#* or spry "n- Do yo' 'se ny pro$r/s s'"% s P#nt

&%en p*nn#n$ &ork:

TB; I 'se t%e /ost bs#" (#$#t* #/$#n$ pro$r/ t%t "/e &#t% /y

st'(#o "o/p'ter 0 P-C- 0 to /ke sket"%es &%#"% I 'se s $'#(es !or

"ert#n prts o! /y p#nt#n$s- I (on<t re**y p*n o't /y p#nt#n$s !ro/

t%e be$#nn#n$) t%o'$%- +S P#nt n( ot%er bs#" (#$#t* #/$#n$ so!t&re

re /ore o! n #nsp#rt#on t%n too*- T%e p#nt#n$s !#rst /n#!est

t%e/se*ves s s#/p*e #(e) or ?'/p#n$ o!! po#nt) 's'**y bo't e!!e"t-

=ro/ t%ere) exper#/ents &#t% pp*#"t#on n( te"%n#1'e *e( to n

#/prov#st#on* pro"ess #n t%e st'(#o- T%e re!eren"e to +S P#nt #s

(e!#n#te*y #ntent#on*@ %o&ever) #t reve*e( #tse*! to be n #nsp#rt#on

t%ro'$% t%e pro"ess o! /k#n$ p#nt#n$s &#t% (#!!erent p#nts n(

pp*#"t#ons o! p#nt- I be*#eve t%e !#rst bstr"t &orks I "ons"#o's*y /(e

&ere on n o*( +"#ntos% SE 's#n$ t%e +"P#nt so!t&re) so I k#n( o!

(#s"overe( t%t &%en I !#n**y /ove( #nto bstr"t#on I &s 's#n$ s#/#*r

/ter#*s s t%e v#rt'* too*box n( even "o**$#n$ p#nt e*e/ents #n

s#/#*r &y-

T%e *r$e0s"*e p#nt#n$s t%t yo' "rete &o'*( re1'#re ss#stn"e o!

so/e !or/) to %e*p "rry) /ove n( *#!t- Do yo' !"e ny (#!!#"'*t#es &#t%

yo'r &ork re$r(#n$ t%e p%ys#"*#ty o! t%e/) s t%ey see/ to be *ess t%n

esy to /ne'ver #n(epen(ent*y:

TB; +ost o! /y p#nt#n$s I "n "t'**y "rry ro'n( /y st'(#o by

/yse*!) &#t% ex"ept#on to nyt%#n$ over 7 !eet- S#n"e t%e nt're o! /y

&ork re1'#re t%t I &ork on sever* p#nt#n$s t on"e to **o& !or (ry#n$

t#/e) #t &orks to /y (vnt$e t%t *r$er p#e"es o""'py prt#"'*r &**#n /y st'(#o !or &eeks t t#/e be!ore be#n$ /ove( o't o! /y "t#ve



&ork sp"e- Be"'se o! t%e &orks< s"*e n( *so t%e (e*#"te nt're o!

t%e#r s'r!"e) I *&ys nee( !r#en( to %e*p p"k n( &rp t%e p#nt#n$s)

b't t%t #s s #n"onven#ent s #t $ets- T%e ent#re p#nt#n$ %ppens &#t%

t%e stret"%er #n t%e s/e pos#t#on) so ?'st bo't everyt%#n$ e*se #n /y

st'(#o #s on &%ee*s to /ove ro'n( t%e &ork-

W%t &o'*( yo' person**y re"o$n#>e s n #(e* strt#n$ po#nt !or n

rt&ork: 5 sket"%) p%oto or even ne& te"%n#1'e yo' &#s% to try:

TB; I (on.t re!eren"e p%otos 's'**y #n /y p#nt#n$s) n( I (on.t strt &#t%

sket"% e#t%er- I &o'*( sy t%e #(e* strt#n$ po#nt !or p#nt#n$ #s

's'**y ?'st t%e !#rst /rk on t%e s'r!"e- T%e p#nt#n$ t%t res'*ts #s

ser#es o! re"t#ons to t%#s #n#t#* /rk- T%o'$% so/et#/es I &#** be$#n

p#nt#n$ &#t% k#n( o! b"k(rop o! str#pes-

W%t (o yo' !#n( to be t%e /?or %'r(*es yo' ?'/p t%ro'$% ('r#n$ yo'r

p#nt#n$ pro"ess:

TB; So/et#/es I (e"#(e I &nt "ert#n e!!e"t #n p#nt#n$) n( I %ve to

te"% /yse*! %o& to 'se "ert#n too*s #n or(er to "%#eve #t- =or ex/p*e)

I %ve been 's#n$ n #rbr's% to spry p#nt) n( I</ st#** not s sk#**e( s

I &o'*( *#ke to be &#t% #t-

In not%er sense) t%e #nt'#t#ve nt're o! /y pro"ess so/et#/es *e(s

/e (o&n rbb#t0%o*e o! ner0!#*'re !ro/ &%#"% I %ve to reso*veover&%e*/#n$ "o/pos#t#on* n( "o*or #ss'es- T%ese re t%#n$s t%t keep

p#nt#n$ #nterest#n$ to /e-

5*bert Oe%*en<s "o/p'ter p#nt#n$s !ro/ t%e 4AA3<s #nvest#$te t%e

trns*t#on o! (#$#t* /e(# t%ro'$% exp*or#n$ t%e p%ys#"* *#/#ts o!

p#nt#n$- Ho& (oes t%#s pr**e* &#t% yo'r pr"t#"e see#n$ t%t t%ere #s

/'t'* rebe**#on o! t%e !*t s'r!"e) espe"#**y to #t be#n$ k#n to t%t o!

"o/p'ter s"reen:

TB; T%ese prt#"'*r 5*bert Oe%*en p#nt#n$s re so/e o! t%e /ore

#nsp#rt#on* p#nt#n$s to /e- Oe%*en (#( /ost o! t%e #/$#n$ (#$#t**y !or

t%#s bo(y o! &ork) b't &%en #t &s trns!erre( to "nvs) %e %( to

s/oot% o't "ert#n e*e/ents /n'**y #n p#nt t%t %e) t t%e t#/e) %(

no "ontro* over- T%e pr#nt#n$ "'se( p#xe*te( e($es to (#$on* *#nes n(

ot%er /#stkes- I t%#nk !or Oe%*en) t%ese p#nt#n$s &ere k#n( o!

%'/n#st#" r$'/ent po#nt#n$ to t%e s%ort"o/#n$s o! t%e "o/p'ter #n

p#nt#n$- I / /k#n$ p#nt#n$s #n t#/e &%en /ore per!e"t v#rt'*

#/$e "o/es */ost se"on( nt're to /e) s so/eone &%o $re& 'p

ro'n( "o/p'ters- I "t'**y %ve tro'b*e !#n(#n$ #/$#n$ pro$r/s t%t



st#** "rete t%t k#n( o! st#r0steppe( e($e on ny *#ne t%t #sn<t per!e"t*y

%or#>ont* or vert#"*-

T%e pr**e* bet&een Oe%*en<s "o/p'ter p#nt#n$s n( t%e &ork I</

/k#n$ "'rrent*y #s) I t%#nk) s#/#*r r$'/ent !or &%t p#nt "n (o n(

&%t "o/p'ters "n<t- In /y &ork) I %ve to (e* &#t% $rv#ty n( ot%er

t%#n$s beyon( /y "ontro*) n( I "n<t s#/p*y Un(o or Step b"k&r(s-

T%ese k#n(s o! t%#n$s *e( to #/prov#s#n$ n( !'$#t#ve /rks) n(

%ope!'**y !res%ness n( p%ys#"* presen"e t%t #s /ore ex"#t#n$ t%n t%e

s"reen- Yo' "n<t $et tpe b*ee( &#t% P%otos%op-

W%t re yo'r too*s o! "%o#"e &%en exp*or#n$ yo'r person* p#nters

vo"b'*ry:

TB; I 'se *ot o! /sk#n$ tpe) *so s1'ee$ee- I<ve !o'n( /yse*! to be's#n$ "t'* br's%es *ess n( *ess- I 'se n #rbr's% to spry "ry*#" n(

o#* p#nt- T%e *test too* I<ve been 's#n$ #s "ke (e"ortor to ((

/ore *#ner v#s"o's e*e/ent) &%ere I %( prev#o's*y on*y s1'ee>e( p#nt

(#re"t*y !ro/ t%e t'be- So/et#/es I 'se %#r p#"k- I "n<t *#ve &#t%o't

/y p#nt extr'(er-

Do yo' !ee* t%t t%e ex%'st#on o! p#nter<s vo"b'*ry #s poss#b*e:

TB; Person**y) I t%#nk #t<s #/portnt to "ont#n'**y (( to yo'r vo"b'*ry

s p#nter- So/e t%#n$s $et *e!t be%#n( #n t%e pro"ess n( t%t<s !#ne- I(o t%#nk &#t%o't tk#n$ r#sks n( try#n$ ne& t%#n$s #n t%e st'(#o) p#nt#n$s

"n strt to *ook t#re( n( !or/'*#"-

Yo'r p#nt#n$ t#t*e( =#* very /'"% e"%oes t%e not#on o! "ret#ve

!r'strt#on n( o! "o'rse) p#nter*y !#*'re- W#t%o't *#ter**y re!eren"#n$

t%#s &ork) t &%t po#nt &o'*( yo' "ons#(er &ork o! yo'rs !#*'re: n(

%o& &o'*( yo' vo#( *os#n$ "ontro* o! &ork:

TB; T%t p#nt#n$ &s one o! t%e !#rst #n n on$o#n$ ser#es t%t ((resses

t%e #(e o! !#*'re #n p#nt#n$- I !#n#s%e( t%e p#nt#n$ to /y *#k#n$ t one

po#nt) n( t%en one (y) &eek or so !ter t%e *st /rk %( been

pp*#e() I "/e to /y st'(#o to !#n( t%t /ost o! t%e p#nt %( "t'**y

s*#( o!! t%e pne* onto t%e st'(#o !*oor n( &s "ont#n'#n$ to s*#(e s I

stoo( t%ere- T%#s %( %ppene( to /e to *esser (e$ree) b't never to

t%#s extent 0 /ost o! t%e p#nt#n$ I **o& !or t%ese k#n(s o! t%#n$s to

%ppen &#t% /y &ork) /ost o! t%e t#/e &#t%o't !#x#n$ t%e/- T%e

/ter#*#ty o! t%e &ork #s so #/portnt t%t $rv#ty n( t%e nt're o! p#nt

#tse*! %s to be tken #nto ""o'nt n( (pte( to rt%er t%n "ontro**e(

"o/p*ete*y- Bes#(es) t%e /rk "%'nk o! p#nt /kes &%en #t s*#(es



(o&n t%e s'r!"e #s one o! /y !vor#te /rks-F I re"te( to t%#s

(#sppo#nt/ent by $rbb#n$ t%e nerest "n o! spry p#nt n( s"r#bb*#n$

over t%e (r#pp#n$ p#nt#n$- T%#s re"t#on %s *e( to ser#es o! p#nt#n$s

&%#"% #ntent#on**y /sk o't /ost o! t%e p#nt#n$ &#t% e"% *yer o!

#n!or/t#on) *#ke &%#te0o't-

To ret'rn to yo'r 1'est#on) I "nnot "ons#(er &ork !#*'re 'nt#* I<ve

%( eno'$% t#/e to *#ve &#t% t%e p#nt#n$- Us'**y I (on<t kno& #t<s been

!#*e( p#nt#n$ 'nt#* /'"% !ter #t<s been reso*ve(- Re$r(#n$ *os#n$

"ontro* o! &ork) I *#ke to %ve *#tt*e b#t o! !#*'re #n e"% p#nt#n$-

W%t #s yo'r "ret#ve pro"ess *#ke: Do yo' %ve set s"%e('*e: Go'(

/'s#": Stron$ "o!!ee: C#$rettes:

TB; I (on<t re**y %ve set s"%e('*e) t%o'$% I (o /ke #t to t%e st'(#o ?'st bo't every (y- I *#ke to %ve /y "o!!ee &#t% /y p#nt#n$s #n s#*en"e

n( t%en *#sten to /'s#" *o'(*y to (ro&n o't /y st'(#o /te<s NPR- W%en

I</ *one) *te*y I<ve been &ork#n$ #n "o/p*ete s#*en"e-

W%en v#e&#n$ yo'r &ork) t%ere #s v#s#b*y 'n(en#b*e en?oy/ent !"tor

present t%t s%o&s person* *ove !or &%t yo' (o- Cn yo' (#s"'ss

&%t yo'r &ork /ens to yo'rse*! n( &%t #t #s bo't p#nt#n$ t%t

keeps yo' on yo'r toes:

TB; To be %onest) I *ove t%e "t o! p#nt#n$- I *ove &*k#n$ #nto so/eone<sst'(#o) or $**ery n( s/e**#n$ p#nt- T%e $ret t%#n$ bo't be#n$

p#nter #s t%t t%ere #s *&ys so/et%#n$ to str#ve !or 0 be#n$ better

p#nter- I "o'*( /ke t%e best p#nt#n$ o! /y *#!e t A3 or ?'st s es#*y I

"o'*( %ve /(e #t ten yers $o) b't I &#** never kno& s *on$ s I

"ont#n'e /k#n$ p#nt#n$s- To /e) t%e /ost #nterest#n$ p#nt#n$ prob*e/

#s pre(#"tb#*#ty- I &nt to /ke p#nt#n$s t%t re never pre(#"tb*e-

W%t re yo' "'rrent*y &ork#n$ to&r(s:

TB; I / #n t%e !ort'nte pos#t#on o! be#n$ b*e to &ork #n /y st'(#o

pretty /'"% 'n#nterr'pte(- I / prepr#n$ to /ove st'(#os !or t%e

se"on( t#/e #n yer) so &#t% t%e Ne& Yer I &#** be$#n /y next ser#es o!

p#nt#n$s #n /y ne& st'(#o-



Tr'(y Benson In T%e St'(#o) 2342

Unt#t*e() 2342) 5"ry*#") En/e*) Spry P#nt n( O#* on Cnvs) 738 x 8



Unt#t*e() 5"ry*#" n( O#* on Pne*) 98 x 928) 2342

Unt#t*e() 5"ry*#") En/e* n( O#* on Pne*) 38 x 968) 2342



+ono*#t%) 5"ry*#") En/e* n( O#* on Cnvs) 8 x A38) 2342

=#*) 5"ry*#") En/e*) Spry P#nt n( O#* on Pne*) 268 x 938) 2342



P*e B*'e Dot) 2344) "ry*#") !*s%e) en/e*) spry p#nt) n( o#* on

"nvs) 67 x 69 #n"%es) 42- x 463 "/)

Tr'(y Benson<s &ork p*ys n e1'* ro*e #n t%e ex%#b#t &#t% *r$e n(

"o//n(#n$ non0ob?e"t#ve bstr"t#ons- T%e yo'n$ 5/er#"n p#nter

born #n 4A7F "retes stron$ t%ree0(#/ens#on* presen"e &#t% *yers o!

t%#"k o#* p#nt- H'n$ on $r#(0*#ke !r/e) e*e/ents 'p !ront) #n t%e

/#((*e) n( #n t%e rer o! P*e B*'e Dot "rete n #**'s#on o! (ept% t

(#stn"e- Too*e( /ss#ve p#nt strokes p's% t%e 'se o! text're to t%e

*#/#t- T%e rt#st s'""ess!'**y "o/b#nes "ry*#") en/e*) spry p#nt) n( o#*

on "nvs &#t%o't !er- +s- Benson re"e#ve( %er +=5 !ro/ t%e PrttInst#t'te o! 5rt #n Ne& York C#ty n( #s represente( by t%e +#ke We#ss

,**ery- S%e sys #n t%e "t*o$) I *#ke 's#n$ t%#"k p#nt $rp%#"**y) b't #t

st#** %s p%ys#"* presen"e- I *#ke to "rete t%e v#rt'* sp"e) n( t%en

/ke k#n( o! r/t're) n( t%en %n$ t%e t%#"ker p#nt o!! #t-

http://www.mikeweissgallery.com/html/artistresults.asp?artist=135

http://www.mikeweissgallery.com/html/artistresults.asp?artist=135



Ins#(e O't) 2343) O#* on "nvs) 2 x 73 #n"%es



Sp"e +o'nt#n) O#* on "nvs) 2 x 66 #n"%es

P#pe Dre/s) O#* on "nvs



Sp"e J/) O#* on "nvs

Inter"o/) O#* on "nvs) A x A #n"%es



TRUDY BENSON 0 SP5CE J5+

IN THE PROJECT SP5CE; KENT DORN 0 Re"ent Work

=re#$%tLVo*'/e #s p*ese( to nno'n"e t%e (eb't o! s#$n#!#"nt ne&

t*ent) Tr'(y Benson- Work#n$ #n t%e r#"% bstr"t ve#n o! Ho($k#n)Oe%*en) n( +'rry) Benson "on?'res 'p (>>*#n$ t%etre o! /rk

/k#n$ n( p're (e*#$%t #n p#nt- S%e #s 'n!r#( to exp*ore ne& ven'es

o! proo! t%t p#nt#n$ never (#es) #t on*y be"o/es /ore e/p%t#"**y *#ve

#n #ts vr#e( n( st'bborn p*es'res- Benson prov#(es !r/e&ork o!

s'per#/pose( n( over*pp#n$ p#"t're p*nes) t%#"k s"'*pt'r* re*#e!) n(

brs% "o*or to "onvey t%#s en?oy/ent- =ro/ s'bt*e v#$nettes s'"% s

8Bsketb**8 to bo*( tb*e's s'"% s 8Sp"e J/ 48 n( 8P#nt#n$8) &e

s%re #n t%e rt#st<s 'nbr#(*e( ent%'s#s/ !or t%e /e(#'/-

Insert#n$ re"o$n#>b*e s#*%o'ettes #nto %er p#nt#n$s s s%e &o'*( "ert#n br's% stroke) Benson s'$$ests be*#e! t%t t%e "onte/porry

bstr"t *#brry /'st #n"*'(e s%pes t%t $rner so/e k#n( o! o'ts#(e o!

p#nt#n$F re!eren"e- None o! t%e /rk /k#n$ #s #nten(e( to be p're*y

!*t) rt%er #t #s ** #nten(e( to %ve %er/ene't#" sso"#t#ons- T%o'$% one

"o'*(n<t *ook t one o! t%ese p#nt#n$s n( "** #t p#"t're) or #/#tt#on) #n

/k#n$ t%e p#nt#n$s so*#( p#nt #s #ts o&n !or/ n( t%ere #s so/e k#n( o!

syste/) *#ke p*'/b#n$) t%t speks o! t%e p#nt#n$<s pro('"t#on- =or

ex/p*e) t%e t%#"kest o! /rks on t%e "nvs #s /(e &#t% *o(e( br's%

n( #ts &#(t% exten(s s*#$%t*y /ore on e#t%er s#(e t%n t%t o! t%e br's%'se( to p#nt #t- Every /n#!estt#on #n p#nt #s "*er*y #/$e( s res'*t

o! prt#"'*r pp*#"t#on-

Benson p#nts bot% t"t#*e*y n( v#s'**y) tte/pt#n$ to br#n$ t%ese t&o

(#!!erent &ys o! exper#en"#n$ t%e &or*( #nto one p#nt#n$- P#nt#n$ "nnot

s#/p*y be o"'*r) t%ere /'st *so be p%eno/eno*o$#"* ppro"% to t%e

p#nt#n$ s n ob?e"t- T%e 'se o! t%e express#on#st br's%stroke #s best

serve( next to J"k Yo'n$er/n0es1'e "'to't #n p#nt- Benson.s 'se o!

t%e $est'r* n( p#nter*y /rk #s not stn(0#n !or n e/ot#on*

"t%rs#s@ #t #s prt o! "r#t#"* (#s"o'rse &#t% t%e %#story o! p#nt#n$- Her

"o/b#n#n$ o! (#!!erent p#nt#n$ tropes #s n rt#"'*t#on o! &%t p#nt "n

(o- C*e/ent ,reenber$ spoke o! p#nt#n$<s #n%erent /e(#'/ spe"#!#"#ty by

sy#n$ t%t p#nt#n$ #s t&o0(#/ens#on* ob?e"t) so #(e**y p're

p#nt#n$ s%o'*( be s !*t s poss#b*e- Benson r$'es t%t p#nt) s

%evy0bo(#e( *#1'#() %s n #n%erent v#s"os#ty- Hevy0bo(#e( s#*%o'ettes

or *r$e so*#( !or/s s'$$est ne$t#ve sp"e) n( t t%e s/e t#/e t%e

/ter#*#ty o! t%e !or/ re#tertes #ts presen"e- =or Benson) /k#n$

p#nt#n$s %s everyt%#n$ to (o &#t% t%e nt're o! p#nt t t%e s'r!"e s



s"'*pt'r* /ter#*) "o*or s /'tb*e "o/ponent) n( "onte/porry

p#nt#n$ vo"b'*ry s #n"*'s#ve o! *o&bro& "'*t're s &e** s %#$%bro&

p#nt#n$ tropes-

Tr'(y Benson "o/p*ete( %er 'n(er$r('te &ork #n V#r$#n#) re"e#ve( %er+=5 t%#s yer !ro/ Prtt) n( %s *re(y ppere( #n n'/ero's $ro'p

s%o&s #n NY n( Boston-

(et#* o! bove



Gates) 2342) 5"ry*#") o#* en/e*) spry p#nt) n( o#* on "nvs) x 73

#n"%es



P#nt) 2342) 5"ry*#") o#* en/e*) spry p#nt) n( o#* on "nvs) 69 x 67

#n"%es

Sno&b**) 2342) 5"ry*#") o#* en/e*) spry p#nt) n( o#* on "nvs) 69 x

67 #n"%es

Yo' n/e #t) I<ve probb*y 'se( #t- I 'se p#nters< tpe) %#r p#"s)

broo/s) n #rbr's%) s1'ee$ees) p*ette kn#ves) &** s"rpers n( even

/y o&n %n(s to pp*y p#nt- I<** even so/et#/es !#** 'p t%e p*/ o! /y

%n( &#t% o#* p#nt n( %'r* #t t t%e "nvs- +ost o! t%e t#/e) I ?'st 'se

"%#p br's%es !ro/ t%e %r(&re store-

5rt#st Tr'(y Benson spek#n$ on so/e o! t%e /ter#*s n( too*s 'se( to

"rete %er ne&est bo(y o! &ork !or %er so*o

ex%#b#t#on 5"t'*MV#rt'* &%#"% opene( O"t- 49t% t t%e +rk We#ss

,**ery- Benson<s t*ent &s spotte( er*y n( %er "reer %s been on

ste(y r#se ever s#n"e- Her *test "o**e"t#on &s ner*y so*( o't 'pon t%e

s%o&s open#n$-

Tr'(y %s set 'p s%op #ns#(e t%e &**s o! +n Conte/porry s#ster

"o/pny o! +#*k St'(#osF) t%e !#rst /?or "enter !or "onte/porry rt #n

Ne& Jersey) s one o! t%e#r rt#st<s0#n0res#(en"e- Tr'(y /et &#t% one o!



t%e e(#tors o! +n Go$) +n Conte/porry<s on*#ne e(#tor#*) to (#s"'ss

t%e (et#*s o! %er open#n$ n( t%e #nsp#rt#on !or %er *test bo(y o! &ork-

B*"k Ter) 2344) 5"ry*#") !*s%e) o#* en/e*) spry p#nt n( o#* on

"nvs) %; 433 x &; 7 #n M %; 2 x &; 4A7-4 "/



Ye**o& P#nt#n$) 2344) 5"ry*#") !*s%e) o#* en/e*) spry p#nt n( o#* on

"nvs) %; 67 x &; 69 #n M %; 42- x &; 463 "/

5 "'t vers#on o! t%e bove#s better:



5"t'*MV#rt'*) "ry*#") =*s%e) o#* en/e*) spry p#nt) n( o#* on "nvs)

738 x 8) 2344

T%#s &eek I strt 5 ser#es !or p#nters- 5rt &or*( peop*e %ve been

sy#n$ p#nt#n$ #s (e( s#n"e t%e .73s- P#nt#n$ #s %v#n$ reb#rt%) $#n)

so %ere.s to prov#n$ t%e nysyers &ron$-

W%y (o yo' 'se t%ese prt#"'*r /ter#*s:

T%ese p#nt#n$s re /(e &#t% "ry*#") =*s%e) One0S%ot en/e*) spry

p#nt n( o#* p#nt- E"% o! t%ese /ter#*s "retes very (#!!erent k#n( o!

/rk s &e** s (#!!erent s'r!"e 1'*#ty- I strte( o't #n"orport#n$

One0S%ot #nto /y &ork be"'se t%e (r#ps yo' "n /ke &#t% #t re ?'st

'npr**e**e(- I 'se =*s%e be"'se #t #s very /tte p#nt t%t %s

*/ost no s'r!"e to #t- It #s strk "ontrst to t%#"k*y pp*#e( o#* p#nt

n( #t *so "retes %*o e!!e"t ro'n( t%e o#* p#nt be"'se o! #ts

#n%erent (ryness- I./ #ntereste( #n t%e p%ys#"*) $rp%#" 1'*#ty o! o#*

p#nt &%#"% nt'r**y %s v#s"o's s'r!"e- =*s%e sets t%#s o!! 1'#te &e**-



5*so) /y very !#rst bstr"t p#nt#n$s &ere /(e s "%#*( on n n"#ent

b*"k n( &%#te /" &#t% +#"roso!t P#nt.s b'#*t0#n too*s; t%e pen"#*) t%e

p#ntbr's%) t%e spry "n) t%e !#** b'"ket) n( t%e $r(#ent-

N/e n rt#st yo'.( *#ke to be "o/pre( to-

E*#>bet% +'rry- I t%#nk s%e re**y "%n$e( t%e $/e s !r s p#nt#n$ #s

"on"erne(- S%e broke t%ro'$% t%e tr(#t#on* p#"t're p*ne o! p#nt#n$

/ore t%n nyone e*se- In +'rry.s &ork) t%ere #s no #**'s#on#st#" sp"e)

t%e p#nt#n$ #s n ob?e"t s &e** s sp"e-

W%t "n.t yo' *#ve &#t%o't:

+y %'sbn() &%o #s $en#'s p#nter) R'sse** Ty*er be*o&F- O%) n( &ter-

5n( oxy$en-

W%t ?obs %ve yo' (one ot%er t%n be#n$ n rt#st:

I.ve been bbys#tter) &#tress) $**ery #ntern n( re"ept#on#st) b't

/ost*y I.ve been &#tress-

W%t !or/s !#rst #n yo'r /#n() "on"ept or sk#** yo' &nt to exp*ore:

T%e "on"ept "o/es !#rst- I ppro"% e"% p#nt#n$ &#t% (#!!erent #(e o!

t%e k#n( o! sp"e I &nt to exp*ore- I *#ke to t%#nk o! /yse*! s s*ve to

t%e p#nt) I (on.t try to !or"e #t to (o nyt%#n$ #t &o'*(n.t (o nt'r**y- No/ore $*>#n$

Does &%ere yo' *#ve #n!*'en"e yo'r &ork:

De!#n#te*y- I $re& 'p #n R#"%/on() V#r$#n#) &%ere I st'bborn*y /(e

!#$'rt#ve &ork- +ov#n$ to Ne& York n( be#n$ expose( to t%e

'nvo#(b*e %#story o! bstr"t#on /(e /e ret%#nk &%t I / re**y

#nveste( #n- I !o'n( I &s /ore #ntereste( #n t%e !or/* n( p%ys#"*

spe"ts o! p#nt#n$ t%n ny k#n( o! (ep#"t#on- S#n"e I /ove( %ere !or

$r('te s"%oo*) I %( ?'st t%e r#$%t "o/b#nt#on o! !ree(o/ n( s'pport

t%t I nee(e( to /ke t%e s%#!t-

Is t%ere ny k#n( o! /e(# t%t !!e"ts t%e &y yo' ppro"% yo'r &ork

#-e- !#*/) TV) r(#o) so"#* net&ork#n$) pr#ntF:

+y &ork #s #n!*'en"e( by v#rt'* sp"es n( %o& t%ey #n!*'en"e o'r

/#n(sp"e- I t%#nk bo't t%e s%**o& sp"e o! er*y v#(eo $/e syste/s)

&%#"% #s */ost *#ke t%e s%**o& st$e #n t%eter- Gte*y I %ve !o'n(

/yse*! */ost re"ret#n$ t%e sp"e o! t%e "o/p'ter s"reen) n( t%e

b*n"#n$ o! ttent#on bet&een (#!!erent bro&ser &#n(o&s or so*#t#re



$/es or /'s#" pro$r/s &e %ve be"o/e ""'sto/e( to- So/e o! /y

*test p#nt#n$s (e* &#t% k#n( o! %over#n$ o! p#nt#n$ tropes

s'per#/pose( #n !ront o! one not%er) *#ke pnes o! $*ss !*ot#n$ #n sp"e-

W%t.s t%e /ost #/portnt "reer brek) yo' ever $ot:

T%t &o'*( %ve to be %v#n$ /y !#rst so*o s%o& t =re#$%t L Vo*'/e

,**ery one &eek !ter /y t%es#s ex%#b#t#on- It &s p're ('/b *'"k n(

very *st /#n'te) b't #t &ent better t%n I "o'*( %ve #/$#ne(-

W%t re t%e !'n(/ent* be*#e!s t%t (r#ve t%e &y yo' &ork:

Never /ke t%e s/e p#nt#n$ t&#"e- 5*&ys exper#/ent- Never /ke n

esy p#nt#n$- C%n"e #s prt o! t%e pro"ess o! p#nt#n$) so *et sp#**e(

p#nt *#e- T%ere.s no s'bst#t'te !or %r( &ork-

W%t "o/es !#rst #n yo'r &ork) p*es're or p#n:

P*es're- I! yo' re not en?oy#n$ yo'rse*! #n t%e st'(#o) t%en &%t.s t%e

po#nt: Be#n$ n rt#st #s one o! t%e &orst "reer (e"#s#ons one "o'*(

/ke) so n rt#st %s to re**y *ove &%t s%e #s (o#n$-

TRUDY BENSON: THE MAKING OF ACTUAL/VIRTUAL

O"tober 2) 2344

Tr'(y Benson t +#ke We#ss ,**ery) p%otos by Te/ St'!!er

+n Conte/porry rt#st0#n0res#(en"e Tr'(y Benson<s so*o ex%#b#t#on)

5"t'*MV#rt'*) opene( O"tober 49t% t +#ke We#ss ,**ery #n C%e*se to

n ent%'s#st#" "ro&( o! !r#en(s) (/#rers n( "o**e"tors- Her ser#es o!

p#nt#n$s %( ner*y so*( o't s t%e s%o& opene(- Tr'(y Benson re"ent*y

$ve 's so/e #ns#$%t #nto %er &ork n( re!*e"te( on %er exper#en"es s re/rkb*y t*ente( ne& presen"e #n t%e rt &or*(-

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+n Go$; Yo' re"e#ve( yo'r +=5 #n p#nt#n$ !ro/ t%e Prtt Inst#t'te #n

2343 n( yo'r !#rst so*o ex%#b#t#on #n Ne& York) Sp"e J/) &s s%o&n t

=re#$%t n( Vo*'/e t%e s/e yer- 5 yer *ter) t 260yers0o*() yo'<re

ex%#b#t#n$ yo'r se"on( so*o s%o& t +#ke We#ss ,**ery- W%t k#n( o!

e/ot#ons re "o/#n$ 'p !or yo' t t%#s s#$n#!#"nt /o/ent #n yo'r er*y"reer s n rt#st:

Tr'(y Benson; I %ve *ot o! t%#n$s $o#n$ t%ro'$% /y /#n( r#$%t no&@

everyt%#n$ #s k#n( o! 'nbe*#evb*e- I (#(n<t re**y %ve t#/e to t%#nk t&#"e

be!ore /y !#rst so*o ex%#b#t#on- I never t%o'$%t t%t t%#n$s &o'*( /ove

so !st !or /e so soon – *#ter**y t&o &eeks !ter /y t%es#s ex%#b#t#on t

Prtt- Ho&ever) I %ve been prepr#n$ !or 5"t'*MV#rt'* !or bo't yer

no&) &ork#n$ to&r(s t%#s bo(y o! &ork- I<ve %( *ot o! s*eep*ess n#$%ts

*e(#n$ 'p to t%e open#n$ p're*y be"'se o! ex"#te/ent n( nt#"#pt#on-

+G; P*ese te** 's so/et%#n$ bo't t%e pro"ess o! &ork#n$ on ne& ser#es

o! p#nt#n$s- Do yo' !o"'s on one p#nt#n$ 'nt#* #t #s !#n#s%e() or &ork on

n'/ber o! p#nt#n$s "on"'rrent*y s yo' (eve*op bo(y o! &ork: Do yo'

%ve v#s#on o! t%e en( res'*t o! t%e p#nt#n$ t t%e o'tset or (oes t%#s

e/er$e pr#/r#*y t%ro'$% t%e exper#en"e o! /k#n$ t%e &ork:

TB; I 's'**y &ork on sever* p#nt#n$s t on"e) 's'**y t vry#n$ st$es

o! (eve*op/ent- Be"'se /y p#nt#n$s re /(e 'p o! /ny (#!!erent

k#n(s o! p#nt =*s%e) "ry*#") spry p#nt) o#* p#nt) sprye( o#* p#nt n(s#$n0p#nter<s en/e*F) t%ere nee(s to be t#/e !or (ry#n$ #n bet&een

*yers o! p#nt- +ost o! /y &ork !ee(s o!! o! e"% ot%er) so &ork#n$ on

p#nt#n$s "on"'rrent*y re**y ((s to t%e "o/p*ex#ty o! t%e &ork- +ost o!

t%e t#/e) I &#** strt p#nt#n$ &#t% very bs#" #(e o! &%t I</ re"%#n$

to&r(s "on"ept'**y) s'"% s $#nt 70!oot re( spot) b't 's'**y I (on<t

kno& %o& t%e p#nt#n$ &#** t'rn o't- I even 's'**y &ork o't /?or

"o/pos#t#on* "%n$es on t%e "nvs- =or /e) /k#n$ t%ese p#nt#n$s #s

*/ost ent#re*y n #nt'#t#ve pro"ess-



Censor) 2344) Tr'(y Benson

+G; T%e t#t*e o! t%e ex%#b#t#on s'$$ests re*t#ons%#p #n yo'r &ork

bet&een t%e "t'*#ty or p%ys#"*#ty o! /ter#*s n( t%e v#rt'* or

#**'s#onry sp"es yo' "rete- Cn yo' e*borte on t%e #(e o! v#rt'*

sp"es: W%t re so/e spe"#!#" spe"ts o! v#s'* "'*t're t%t #n!or/ t%ese

&orks:

TB; T%#s bo(y o! &ork #s n evo*'t#on o! /ost o! t%e &orks #n Sp"e J/)

&%#"% &ere bs#"**y bstr"t /rks set #n perspe"t#v* sp"e- T%e

&orks %( k#n( o! p's%Mp'** e!!e"t #n t%t t%e perspe"t#v* b"k(rop set

'p t%e sp"e to be #nterprete( s n #nter#or) &%#*e t%e t%#"k*y p#nte(

br's%strokes on t%e s'r!"e o! t%e "nvs p's%e( o't #nto t%e v#e&ers

sp"e- In sense) t%e "t'* p#nt st top t%e v#rt'* sp"e- +ov#n$

#nto t%e &orks !ro/ 5"t'*MV#rt'*) t%e sp"e be"/e *ess o! *#ter*

v#rt'* sp"e- =or ex/p*e) t%e $r#( !o'n( #n t%e b"k$ro'n( o! "ert#n

p#nt#n$s Ho*o$rp%#x) B*"k Ter) et"-F %rkens to k#n( o! (#$#t* &or*()

"o/p'ter $enerte( *n(s"pe) s'"% s "n be seen #n t%e N#nten(o

$/e +rb*e +(ness) or t%e "nvs !ro/ o*( P%otos%op pro$r/s- We

#nterpret t%e $r#( #n t%#s sense s k#n( o! ske*eton or r/t're 'pon

&%#"% to "rete- T%ere #s n #nnte sense o! seprt#on #n%erent #n t%e

$r#() re**y **o&#n$ /e to "rete tr'*y (#sprte) #"on#" /rks on t%e

"nvs- 5n 'npre(#"tb*e n( ex"#t#n$ s'r!"e vr#t#on #s re**y &%t<s t

stke-



+G; In yo'r *#!e o'ts#(e o! yo'r st'(#o) &%ere (o yo' not#"e "o*or n( *#$%t

t%t #nsp#res t%e "o*or n( *'/#nes"en"e yo' "rete #n yo'r &ork:

TB; 5"t'**y /ost o! t%e "o*or n( *#$%t !o'n( #n /y &ork #s #nsp#re( by

sp"e p%oto$rp%y) &%#"% #s not%er tot**y v#rt'* #nterprett#on o! sp"e-

Re(#n$s sent !ro/ te*es"opes re t%en *tere( n( e*borte( 'pon

(#$#t**y to pro('"e t%e #/$es &e see #n Nt#on* ,eo$rp%#"- T%e sense

o! *#$%t) sp"e n( "o*or see/s "o/p*ete*y !ore#$n to /e) n( #t<s

!s"#nt#n$ Nee(*ess to sy) I 'se ton o! &%#te &%en /#x#n$ "o*ors to

"%#eve t%e k#n( o! *'/#nes"en"e t%t I *ove-

+G; T%e s'r!"es o! yo'r p#nt#n$s "%#eve n */ost s"'*pt'r* 1'*#ty-

W%t re so/e too*s n( te"%n#1'es yo' 'se to "rete t%#s sense o!

(#/ens#on) text're n( (ept%:

TB; Yo' n/e #t) I<ve probb*y 'se( #t- I 'se p#nters< tpe) %#r p#"s)

broo/s) n #rbr's%) s1'ee$ees) p*ette kn#ves) &** s"rpers n( even

/y o&n %n(s to pp*y p#nt- I<** even so/et#/es !#** 'p t%e p*/ o! /y

%n( &#t% o#* p#nt n( %'r* #t t t%e "nvs- +ost o! t%e t#/e) I ?'st 'se

"%#p br's%es !ro/ t%e %r(&re store-

+G; T%e er*y %eroes o! bstr"t p#nt#n$ &ere pr#/r#*y /en) n( t%e

ro/nt#" not#on o! t%e bstr"t p#nter t%t e/er$e( #n t%e /#(0

23t% Cent'ry &s (eep*y sso"#te( &#t% /s"'*#ne stren$t%) v#r#*#ty n(

t%e express#on o! "%r$e( e/ot#ons- 5s !e/*e rt#st /k#n$ *r$e0s"*e

bstr"t p#nt#n$s &#t% bo*( n( ssert#ve *#nes n( !or/s) (#( yo'

str'$$*e t ** $#nst t%#s /"%o /yst#1'e o! t%e bstr"t p#nter) or (#(

yo' e/br"e so/e spe"ts o! #t s &e**: Hve t%ere been s#$n#!#"nt

&o/en rt#sts &ork#n$ #n t%#s tr(#t#on &%o %ve #n!*'en"e( yo'r &ork: In

to(y<s rt &or*() (o &o/en /k#n$ bstr"t p#nt#n$s see/ to %ve

e1'* presen"e #n ter/s o! ex%#b#t#ons n( pro!ess#on* re"o$n#t#on:

TB; ,oo( 1'est#on- =#rst o! **) I &o'*( *#ke to pos#t#on /yse*! #n

(#!!erent "ontext t%n yo' %ve p't /e #n- +y p#nt#n$s re (#!!erent !ro/

t%e !#rst $enert#on bstr"t express#on#sts #n t%t t%ese re not "t%rt#"

&orks) t%ey re not express#ve o! /y #nner psy"%e- T%#s &ork #s not re**y

/(e to be se*!0re!*ex#ve) nor #s #t e/ot#on* &ork- I &o'*( pos#t /yse*! #n

/ore p*y!'* n( exper#/ent* re*/) I %ve /'"% /ore #n "o//on

&#t% E*#>bet% +'rry t%n W#**e/ (e Koon#n$- I (on<t "t'**y t%#nk /'"%

t ** bo't t%e /"%o /yst#1'e o! t%e bstr"t p#nter- T%ere re p*enty

o! &o/en &%o "/e be!ore /e &%o %n(*e( t%#s str'$$*e &e** eno'$%

t%t I (on<t re**y t%#nk o! #t s n #ss'e- 5bstr"t p#nt#n$ #s (e!#n#te*y

NOT /n<s &or*( ny/ore- In /y op#n#on) so/e o! t%e best bstr"t



p#nters &ork#n$ to(y re !e/*e) s'"% s Ce"#*y Bro&n) Ke*t#e =err#s)

Wen(y W%#te) =#on Re) Crr#e +oyer) Pt Ste#r n( Rose/r#e =#ore-

T%ere re /ore !e/*es t%n /*es enro**e( #n !#ne rts pro$r/s #n t%#s

"o'ntry) b't I t%#nk I re( so/e&%ere t%t /ore /en event'**y $#n

pro!ess#on* re"o$n#t#on- I &o'*( nee( to (o *ot o! reser"% to $#ve n#nte**#$ent ns&er to yo'r 1'est#on) reser"% t%t I &o'*(n<t even kno&

%o& to $o bo't- B't %onest*y) I re**y %ven<t !e*t /'"% oppos#t#on to t%e

!"t o! /y $en(er &%en "o/pre( to /y p#nt#n$s-

Tr'(y Benson ('r#n$ open#n$ o! 5"t'*MV#rt'* t +#ke We#ss ,**ery

+G; In o'r "onte/porry rt env#ron/ent t%t #s #n"res#n$*y /ov#n$

to&r(s (#$#t* n( ne& /e(#) &%t %o*(s yo'r !s"#nt#on &#t% t%e

/e(#'/: W%t ex"#tes yo' bo't t%e exper#en"e o! p#nt#n$ t%t #s

/#ss#n$ !ro/ ot%er !or/s o! rt0/k#n$:

TB; T%e !"t t%t p#nt#n$ #s so p%ys#"**y present n( #s not ent#re*y

"ontro**b*e pr"t#"e #s &%t sets #t prt !ro/ (#$#t* n( ne& /e(#- T%#s

#s pre"#se*y &%t I !#n( so re*evnt bo't p#nt#n$ to(y- P#nt#n$ #s not

(e( T%e #P( #s (e(-

5*t%o'$% I /'st (/#t #t<s not ent#re*y /y "%o#"e t%t I / p#nter- I

%ve p#nt !et#s%) I *ove t%e s/e**) I *ove &ork#n$ &#t% p#nt- G#ke

%o*o$r/) p#nt#n$ &#t% re* s'r!"e to #t *ooks (#!!erent !ro/ every

n$*e-

+G; Yo' /ove( #nto yo'r st'(#o t +n Conte/porry #n t%e spr#n$ o!

2344- Ho& (#( t%e sp"e #/p"t yo'r b#*#ty to pro('"e t%#s ne& ser#es o!

p#nt#n$s: W%t re so/e &ys t%t yo'r re*t#ons%#p &#t% t%e "o//'n#ty

t +n Conte/porry %s #/p"te( yo'r *#!e #n t%e rts t%#s yer:

TB; +y o*( st'(#o #n t%e Brook*yn Nvy Yr( &s 933 s1're !eet) &#t% no

&#n(o&s n( no !or/ o! vent#*t#on &%tsoever- +y st'(#o t +n

Conte/porry #s /'"% *r$er) I %ve be't#!'* &** o! &#n(o&s n( even

n ex%'st !n- T%#s %s **o&e( /e to s!e*y exper#/ent &#t% /ore



(#!!erent k#n(s o! p#nt /ter#*s n( *so to /ke t%e *r$est p#nt#n$s I

%ve ever been b*e to /ke-

Hv#n$ /y st'(#o t t%e +n b'#*(#n$ %s #ntro('"e( /e to sever*

pro!ess#on* rt#sts I &o'*(n<t %ve ot%er&#se been #n "ont"t &#t%) s'"%

s Do'$ 5r$'e- 5*so) #t stren$t%ene( /y re*t#ons%#p &#t% rt#sts I

*re(y kne&) b't not too &e** 'nt#* !ter /ov#n$ to +n) *#ke Y#$* O>er#

n( E'$ene Ge+y- Be"'se o! /y !r#en(s%#ps &#t% t%ese ot%er rt#sts) I

%ve /et /ny ot%er peop*e *#ke (e*ers) "o**e"tors n( &r#ters- It<s

very !r#en(*y "o//'n#ty) so Y#$* n( E'$ene re !re1'ent*y popp#n$ #n

&#t% !r#en(s to e#t%er see /y &ork or see t%e st'(#o sp"e- Everyone %ere

%s been extre/e*y s'pport#ve o! /e) be#n$ yo'n$ e/er$#n$ rt#st-

5*so) I / *ern#n$ ne& t%#n$s bo't everyone<s (#!!erent st'(#o pr"t#"e

every(y-



Tr'(y Benson.s p#nt#n$s re bo*( n( br#$%t) /(e o! tot* /ter#*

ex"ess- 5rtS*nt.s Ne& York te/ %s %( t%e#r eyes on t%#s rt#st !or



1'#te so/e t#/e- Re( 5*(r#n V*(e>.s rev#e& o! Benson.s *test ex%#b#t#on

t +#ke We#ss ,**ery) n( E/#*y Nt%n.s rev#e& o! Benson.s !#rst so*o

s%o&) !o**o&#n$ %er $r('t#on !ro/ Prtt;

Her pp*#"t#on o! p#nt see/s every&%ere #ntent#on*; &%en #t "r"ks) #t

"r"ks@ &%en #t (r#ps) #t (r#ps- It s/'($es) s"'!!s n( pee*s) #t stn(s

&y !ro/ t%e "nvs) #nserts #tse*! *#ter**y #nto yo'r sp"e) n( &%en

#t strokes #t #s s s/oot% n( se/*ess s b#"y"*e0!r/e- To ppre"#te

t%e &orks< /ter#*#ty #s one t%#n$@ to re"o$n#>e t%t t%e &orks re

(e"*rt#ve*y bo't t%e#r /ter#*) n() !'rt%er) to #nte$rte t%#s very

p%ys#"* exper#en"e o! rt0v#e&#n$ #nto n rsen* o! exper#en"es &%#"%

re $ener**y nyt%#n$ b'tQre "r#t#"*) sr"st#") (#s!!e"te() (#*'te()

se*!0(epre"t#n$Q#s tr'*y &e*"o/e berrn"e-

Tr'(y Benson b-4A7 R#"%/on() V5F *#ves n( &orks #n Brook*yn) NY-

S%e re"e#ve( n +=5 !ro/ Prtt Inst#t'te) Brook*yn) NY n( B=5 !ro/

V#r$#n# Co//on&e*t% Un#vers#ty) R#"%/on() V5- T%e rt#st #s

represente( by Horton ,**ery #n Ne& York) &%ere s%e %s been !et're(

#n so*o s%o&) $ro'p s%o& n( n rt !#r-

W%en v#e&er en$$es &#t% one o! Tr'(y Benson.s p#nt#n$s) #t #s s #!

stre/ o! (#$#t* "ons"#o'sness %s p'r$e( #tse*! onto t%e "nvs- Every&ork "ont#ns &ves o! r#oto's strokes n( spry /rks e/p%s#>#n$ n

#n!*'x o! #n!or/t#on s (#s?o#nte( bstr"t t%o'$%t- Benson exp*ores t%e

&or*( o! (#$#t* sp"e) &%#"% /n#!ests #tse*! be%#n( s"reens 0 p'**#n$

#nsp#rt#on !ro/ %er o&n re*t#ons%#ps to "o/p'ters) "e** p%ones) n(

er*y v#(eo$/es- W#t% 'n(er p#nt#n$s o! $r#(s n( $r(#ents) t%e rt#st

't#*#>es sy/bo*s synony/o's &#t% rt %#story n( /o(ern te"%no*o$y- T%#s

(#"%oto/y #n Benson.s &ork "ont#n'es s s%e re(#*y en$$es &#t%

"*ss#"* p#nt#n$ tropes) &%#*e /#nt#n#n$ /e"%n#"* (#*o$'e- T%#s

"o/p*ex &ev#n$ o! "onte/porry &estern #n!*'en"e t%ro'$% r"%etyp*p#nt#n$ te"%n#1'es) &#t%#n Benson.s #nt'#t#ve /rk /k#n$) prov#(es no

esy &y to enter one o! %er /ss#ve "nvses- T%ere #s (e*#berte

ve*o"#ty n( nx#ety t%t #s "on"entrte( #n t%e &ork- T%e *yers o! p#nt

%ve v#s'**y ppropr#te( t%e #n"essnt %'//#n$ &%#"% #s #n%erent to **

"onte/porry so"#ety 0 #t #s */ost s #! be%#n( e"% set o! stret"%er brs

one &o'*( !#n( n e*e"tr#"* p*'$ !ee(#n$ po&er (#re"t*y #nto t%e &ork-

Benson.s trns*t#on o! te"%no*o$y n( s"reens #nto rt &s see(e( t

yo'n$ $e- Her 8!#rst bstr"t p#nt#n$s &ere /(e s "%#*( on n

n"#ent b*"k n( &%#te +" &#t% +#"roso!t P#nt.s b'#*t0#n too*s; t%e

http://www.artslant.com/ny/articles/show/28690






pen"#*) t%e p#ntbr's%) spry "n) t%e !#** b'"ket) n( t%e $r(#ent-8 T%#s

pr#/ry expos're to (#$#t* rt /k#n$) 'n(o'bte(*y #n!or/e( t%e rt#st

s s%e trns#t#one( #nto /ter#* bse( pr"t#"e- S%e re$'*r*y s1'ee>es

p#nt r#$%t o't o! t%e t'be onto t%e "nvs) n( 'ses spry p#nt &#t%o't

reservt#ons- Her (#re"t rt pr"t#"e "ont#n'es &#t% t%e 'se o! n e#$%t0#n"% p#nt ro**er- J'st s (#$#t* #n!or/t#on #s never *ost) even !ter

(e*et#on) t%e *r$e s&t"%es o! !res% p#nt !ro/ t%e ro**er 'n#1'e*y

preserves ** prev#o's /rks #n Benson.s p#nt#n$s 0 &%#*e "on"'rrent*y)

"ret#n$ ne& sp"e !or %er to exp*ore) n( /e(#te #n- It #s pprent) t%t

t%e rt#st.s pr"t#"e #s ((#t#ve) n( not s'btr"t#ve- S%e #s not ('nte(

&#t% t%e not#on o! *yers or text'res 0 e"% s/'($e) s/er) b*ot) (ot)

stroke) et") br#n$s *#!e to Benson.s p#nt#n$s- E"% "nvs) n( #ts

#//ense p%ys#"*#ty) "o//n(s roo/ 0 'tono/o's*y present#n$

s*'rry o! "onte/p*t#on &%#"% s#/'*tneo's*y ent#"es n( over&%e*/s v#e&er-

Press +ent#ons;

8Tr'(y Benson<s &ork #s s#/#*r*y b#*#n$'*) spek#n$ to bot% t%e rt o! t%e

pst n( t%e (#$#t* !or/s o! t%e present) &%#*e sk#n$ 's to "ons#(er t%e

re*t#on bet&een t%e t&o- 5t !#rst $*n"e) %er Se*e"t#on) De*ete) 2349) %s

t%e "o*or!'* ex'bern"e o! er*y0t&ent#et%0"ent'ry bstr"t#on) b't

nyone &%o 'se( PC #n t%e 4AA3s &#** #(ent#!y t%e &ork<s %etero$eneo's/ter#*s #n"*'(#n$ spry p#nt n( "ry*#" p#ntF s "t*o$'e o! t%e

rn$e o! e!!e"ts one "o'*( *yer &#t%#n s#n$*e !r/e #n +S P#nt-8 0 T#n

R#vers)5rt!or'/-"o/) Nove/ber 44) 2349-

85 $enert#on o! rt#sts &%o $re& 'p 's#n$ /o'se s "o/!ortb*y s

p#ntbr's% #s no& "o/#n$ o! $e n( br#n$#n$ t%e $#((#ness o! t%ose

!or/t#ve "o/p'ter rt exper#/ents to $oo( o*( o#* on "nvs- T%#s #s

ex"#t#n$ ne&s) to ?'($e !ro/ Tr'(y Benson<s so*o s%o& t Horton---+ny

o! %er *r$e) s1'r#s% "nvses Q t%e proport#ons br#n$ to /#n( er*y +"

/on#tors Q /#/#" t%e s1'#$$*y) 'n"ontro**b*e *#nes n( see/#n$*y

/#r"'*o's #nstnt "o*or0!#**s o! 4A73s $rp%#"s pro$r/s *#ke +"P#nt---8

0 Kren Rosenber$) T%e Ne& York T#/es) +y 43) 2349-

8Tr'(y Benson %s been $rner#n$ *ot o! ttent#on) n( #t<s esy to see

&%y- Her r'"o's*y #/pstoe( p#nt#n$s) s *'s"#o's s t%ey re ?rr#n$)

re bstr"t#on s s%eer eb'**#en"e Q /bros# !or nyone open to t%e

#nnte p*es'res o! "o*or) text're) *#ne n( s%pe)8 0 T%o/s

+#""%e**#) Hyper**er$#") +y ) 2349-



85bstr"t#on n( "o/p'ter $rp%#"s "o/e to$et%er #n 8P#nt)8 Tr'(y

Benson.s ex%#b#t#on n/e( !ter t%e W#n(o&s pro$r/ t%t entert#ne(

/ny "%#*(ren o! t%e .73s !or %o'rs on en(- T%e s"reen*#ke !*tness o!

Benson.s "nvses0!et'r#n$ over*pp#n$ $eo/etr#" s%pes n( str#pe(ptterns0#s te/pere( by %er t%#"k*y pp*#e( s&t%s o! p#nt- Inste( o!

8s"r#bb*#n$8 &#t% /o'se b"k n( !ort% "ross s"reen) Benson

"re!'**y e/pt#es &%t *ooks *#ke n ent#re t'be o! p#nt #n *on$) t%#"k

strn(s-8 0 5rt #n 5/er#") +y 2) 2349-

8Benson &orks &#t% vr#ety o! text'resQt%#n) even tones o! spry p#nt@

t%#"k o#* n( "ry*#" p#nt (es#$ne( to s%o& br's% &ork@ n( t%#"k $est'r*

s1'#$$*esQn( "o/b#nes t%e/ &#t% /stery- T%e p#nt#n$s o!ten %ve

"o**$e() text#*e !ee*@ /ny re peop*e0s#>e() &%#"% ((s n e*e/ent o!$rn(e'r n( &e-8 0 P((y Jo%nson n( 5'st#n +"5**#ster) G +$>#ne)

+r"% 49) 2349-

8T%#s yo'n$ Prtt0e('"te( p#nter #s /ov#n$ &y !ro/ %er prev#o's

"rtoon#s%*y !#$'rt#ve e!!orts n( to&r( /x#/*#st bstr"t#on- T%e

e!!e"t #s b#t *#ke 4A73.s $eo/etry textbook sp>>#n$ o't n( exp*o(#n$

on t%e &**- Benson &orks &#t%#n (e*#"#o's*y "!!e#nte( *n$'$e o!

$est'res n( s%pes0t%e s/er) t%e (r#pp#n$ *#ne) r#nbo&s) $r#(s) "#r"*es0

to "rete "o/pos#t#ons t%t p#r s/oot%) $*ossy se"t#ons &#t% p#ntpp*#e( so t%#"k*y #t rese/b*es P*y0Do%-80 S"ott In(r#sek) +o(ern

P#nters) De"e/ber 2342-

85/er#"n rt#st Tr'(y Benson.s *r$e0s"*e) #nv#$ort#n$ bstr"t#ons

reve* #n t%e poss#b#*#t#es o! p#nt) !ro/ %r(0e($e( $eo/etr#es to

!st#(#o's *#ne &ork) (r#ps) s/ers n( *'s"#o's $r(#ent b*en(sT%ere.s

"ert#n*y tr"e o! t%#s (#$#t* pprent#"es%#p #n "'rrent ppern"e o! %er

%#$%*y0*yere() b'st*#n$ "nvses) *t%o'$% Benson.s !on(ness !or text'r*

p*y 0 "r'ste( p#nt#n$ n( */ost #/probb*y "%'nky #/psto 0 #s !r

"ry !ro/ t%e !*tness o! on0 s"reen #/$ery-80 ) +o(ern E(#t#on) J'ne

2342-

8Tr'(y Benson.s &ork p*ys n e1'* ro*e #n t%e ex%#b#t &#t% *r$e n(

"o//n(#n$ non0ob?e"t#ve bstr"t#ons- T%e yo'n$ 5/er#"n p#nter

born #n 4A7F "retes stron$ t%ree0(#/ens#on* presen"e &#t% *yers o!

t%#nk o#* p#nt- H'n$ on $r#(0*#ke !r/e) e*e/ents 'p !ront) #n t%e

/#((*e) n( #n t%e rer o! P*e B*'e Dot "rete n #**'s#on o! (ept% t

(#stn"e- Too*e( /ss#ve p#nt strokes p's% t%e 'se o! text're to t%e



*#/#t-8 0 Ron S"ott)rtHopper-or$) Jn'ry 47) 2342-

85((#n$ to t%e $ro&#n$ *#st o! &o/en "'rrent*y re0#/$#n#n$ 5bstr"t

Express#on#st p#nt#n$) Tr'(y Benson /kes &orks t%t (o not sk#/p on

ex'bernt "o*or n( $est're- Nor (o t%ey *"k !er*essness &#t% re$r( top#nt pp*#"t#on-8 0 Josep% Wo*#n) 5RTne&s) Jn'ry 2342-

8=or t%ose o! 's &%o *#ve no& even prt#**y #//erse( #n t%e (#$#t*

sp"es o! v#(eo $/es) &ebs#tes) n( s/rt p%ones) t%e propert#es o!

t%ese rt#!#"#* &or*(s %ve be"o/e so !/#*#r to 's t%t Benson.s &ork

$rt#!y#n$*y !!#r/s t%e see/#n$ tn$#b#*#ty o! t%e#r ex#sten"e- 5t t%e s/e

t#/e) %o&ever) 85"'t*MV#rt'*8 exposes t%e !*se/ess o! "#rt'* &or*(s by

"ont#n'**y /ov#n$ !ro/ (ept% to !*tness n( (e"onstr'"t#on *#ves t%e

/ost v#t* sp#r#t o! Benson.s &ork 0 t%e b#*#ty to ?/ n( brek b#nr#es&#t% (#st#n"t*y %'/n p*es're-80 Dn#e* Gev#s Ke*tner) Pre"#p#tte; Jo'rn*

o! t%e Ne& Env#ron/ent* I/$#nt#on) De"e/ber 2344-

8Per%ps #t #s t%e stop0n(0$o "o**$e spe"t o! t%e#r "o/pos#t#on t%t

/kes t%e/ !ee* s #! o'r eyes "n !'**y en"o/pss t%en n( o'r %n(s

"rry t%e/ s #! t%ey &ere s%eets o! pper@ or per%ps #t #s t%e

pre(o/#nn"e o! *#ne #n t%e#r !or/t#on) /k#n$ t%e/ *ook */ost *#ke

(r&#n$s- W%tever Benson (oes to #n!or/ %er vst p#nt#n$s &#t%

#nt#/"y) #t res'*ts #n one o! t%e /ost ex%#*rt#n$*y tro'b*#n$ senst#onsv#*b*e !ro/ p#nt#n$ #n *on$ t#/e- It.s not t%e (/ne( t%#n$s re too

b#$@ t%ey.re not) s t%ey nee( to be t%ese (#/ens#ons to #/prt ** t%e#r

!est#ve ex"#te/ent n( (#>>y#n$ ener$y- It.s t%t t%ey /ke 's !ee* s #!

&e.re too s/**- 8 0 Peter =rnk) T%e H'!!#n$ton Post) Nove/ber ) 2344-

85t t%e %ert o! t%#s &ork re %er Benson.sF *"k o! #n%#b#t#ons) %er v#s#b*e

stren$t% n( en('rn"e) n( %er b#*#ty to res#st ny bs#s o! nrrt#ve

#n !vor o! p's% to sort o! sps/o(#"**y over0st#/'*te( "ore o!

express#on t%t !*'"t'tes bet&een (#>>y#n$ n( /es/er#>#n$- One even

#/$#nes t%ere re !*eet#n$ /o/ents o! /e(#tt#on #n t%e p#nt pp*#"t#on

pro"ess &%en t%e rt#st /kes s'"% repet#t#ve "t#ons #n t%e vr#o's*y

"o*ore( r#nbo&0*#ke e*e/ents8- 0 Do/#n#"k Go/br(#) C'*t're Ct"%)

O"tober 27) 2344-

8Gook#n$ t Tr'(y Benson.s 8Ret ,#nt8) !or ex/p*e) #s *#ke *'n"%#n$

#nto orb#t- T%e p#nt#n$ #s over&%e*/#n$; !t re( "enter n( seres o!

b*"k r#n$s) so/e s%(#n$ #nto p'rp*e- It.s %r( to kno& &%ere to !o"'s@

t%ere re so /ny r#n$s n( "'rves) ner*y e"%o#n$ e"% ot%er) (r&#n$



yo'r eye #n "onstnt ne& (#re"t#ons- T%en) $reen *#ne s r& s sp"e

#tse*! "'ts "ross t%e !ront o! t%e sp%ere- In t%e en() yo' !ee* yo'.ve

"#r"*e( ne& p*net-8 0 Kte Pren$e*) C#ty 5rts) O"tober 2t%) 2344-

8W#t% t#t*es s'"% s R(#t#on Sp#**) Re( D&r() n( Ne& N#nt% P*net) #t.sno s'rpr#se t%t Benson.s bstr"t#ons re *r$e s#x to seven !eet on

s#(eF n( #/b'e( &#t% str#ke *'/#nes"en"e t%t.s e1'* prts *bortory

!*'ores"ents n( petro"%e/#"* %>e- Bo(*y br's%e( n( "o*or!'*) t%ey

/#$%t t !#rst re( s (e"ort#ve) b't t%#s #sn.t *obby rt 0 'n*ess #t.s

(est#ne( !or one o! t%ose orb#t#n$ /'*t#nt#on*s #n W#**#/ ,#bson.s

Ne'ro/n"er-8 0 R-C- Bker) V#**$e Vo#"e) Septe/ber 2344-

8Benson.s p#nt#n$s re bo't t%e #nterp*y o! text'res n( s'r!"es@ t%ey

re bo't t%e #nter"t#on o! /ter#* n( /ter#"*- T%ey re bot%(yn/#" n( stt#"; (r#p r'ns #nto n( #s #/pe(e( by "%'nk) (ry

p#$/ent #s br's%e( 1'#"k*y "ross (r#e() ('noke( sner@ p#nt %s

never see/e( so rot'n( s #t (oes %ere) %s never b'"k*e( t%'s- Benson

#ns#sts t%t p#nt#n$ #s s#/p*y t%e /eet#n$ o! 'n('*t#n$) /o(#!#b*e)

v#s"o's /'"#*$e) &#t% /ore o! t%e /'"#*$e- Her 8strokes8 re oo>es o!

str&berry toot%0pste or p'rp*e $ro't) t%e "rtere( s'r!"e o! t%e /oon)

t%e !ter#/$e o! neon *#$%t (#spers#n$ #nto sky@ t%ey spek to t%e

p%ys#"* re*#ty o! o#* #n &ter /ore t%n t%ey en$$e #n t%e pre"#o's

(#*o$'e bet&een t%e %#rs o! p#ntbr's% n( $essoe( "nvs-8 0E/#*y Nt%n)5rtS*nt) +y 46) 2343-

8T%e e"ono/y.s (e() o'r env#ro/ent #s on t%e ver$e o! "o**pse) n(

respons#b*e "#t#>ens every&%ere re str'$$*#n$ to "onserve #n or(er to

s'rv#ve- W%#"% #s ex"t*y &%y Tr'(y Benson.s *'r#(*y /x#/*#st ne&

s%o&) 8Sp"e J/)8 #s s'"% v#s"er*) !*#ppnt p'n"% #n to t%e $'t- Gr$e

"nvses exp*o(e !'x0n#! &on(er*n( 0 prt P%#**#p ,'ston) prt s*oppy

.>#ne "o/#" 0 's#n$ eno'$% p#nt to "over very *r$e %o'se-

Repro('"t#ons o! t%ese #/$es (on.t (o ?'st#"e to t%e s%eer /o'nt o!

p#$/ent t%t Benson %s *o(e( on %ere; s*t%ere( #s re**y t%e on*y

ppropr#te verb-8 0 S"ott In(r#sek) +o(ern P#nters) +y 49) 2343-



Pn) 2349) 5"ry*#") en/e*) spry p#nt o#* on "nvs) 6x668 M

462-6x46-6"/



Benson (#s"'sses %er pro"ess; 8=or t%e /ost prt !or t%ese p#nt#n$s) I

!ee* *#ke t%ey re "o**$e o! (#!!erent p#nt#n$ /oves n( I ppro"% #t

t%e s/e &y yo' &o'*( #! yo'<re /k#n$ P%otos%op !#*e--- In t%e

be$#nn#n$ o! t%e p#nt#n$) #t %ppens re**y !st n( I "n (o t%e !#rst !o'r

to !#ve /oves pretty !st &#t%#n one to t&o (ys n( even 'p to t%e !#rst

o#* /ove- T%en !ter t%e !#rst o#* p#nt /ove) I "n on*y t%#nk one step

%e(- Even #! I try) I so/et#/es !or$et &%t I</ p*nn#n$ on (o#n$ n( I

/#$%t "%n$e /y /#n( too- So/et#/es I &ork on !e& (#!!erent #(es-

T%ere<s *ot o! p#nt#n$ t%t %ppens o'ts#(e o! t%e st'(#o t t%#s po#nt-

In t%e &ork #n /y *st s%o&) I &s 's#n$ (#!!erent /e(#'/) so t%#n$s

&o'*( %ppen *ot !ster- No& everyt%#n$ #s (ry#n$ s*o& b't I "t'**y *#ke

t%t I "n be /ore se*e"t#ve bo't &%t /oves I /ke n( I "t'**y

en?oy tk#n$ /ore t#/e #n bet&een steps-8



Benson (#s"'sses %er pro"ess #n"*'(#n$ &ork#n$ !ro/ (#$#t* sket"%es- S%e

"o//ents; 8I 'se t%e /ost bs#" (#$#t* #/$#n$ pro$r/ t%t "/e &#t%

/y st'(#o "o/p'ter 0 P-C- 0 to /ke sket"%es &%#"% I 'se s $'#(es !or

"ert#n prts o! /y p#nt#n$s- I (on<t re**y p*n o't /y p#nt#n$s !ro/

t%e be$#nn#n$) t%o'$%- +S P#nt n( ot%er bs#" (#$#t* #/$#n$ so!t&re

re /ore o! n #nsp#rt#on t%n too*- T%e p#nt#n$s !#rst /n#!est

t%e/se*ves s s#/p*e #(e) or ?'/p#n$ o!! po#nt) 's'**y bo't e!!e"t-

=ro/ t%ere) exper#/ents &#t% pp*#"t#on n( te"%n#1'e *e( to n

#/prov#st#on* pro"ess #n t%e st'(#o- T%e re!eren"e to +S P#nt #s

(e!#n#te*y #ntent#on*@ %o&ever) #t reve*e( #tse*! to be n #nsp#rt#on

t%ro'$% t%e pro"ess o! /k#n$ p#nt#n$s &#t% (#!!erent p#nts n(

pp*#"t#ons o! p#nt- I be*#eve t%e !#rst bstr"t &orks I "ons"#o's*y /(e

&ere on n o*( +"#ntos% SE 's#n$ t%e +"P#nt so!t&re) so I k#n( o!

(#s"overe( t%t &%en I !#n**y /ove( #nto bstr"t#on I &s 's#n$ s#/#*r

/ter#*s s t%e v#rt'* too*box n( even "o**$#n$ p#nt e*e/ents #n

s#/#*r &y-8



Re!err#n$ to p#nt#n$ #n t%e st'(#o) Benson "o//ents t%t t%ere &ere

8sever* po#nts &%en I ?'st k#n( o! &nte( to t%ro& #n t%e to&e*--- rt%er

t%n--- s"rpe nyt%#n$ o!! I strte( (o#n$ t%ese s"r#bb*e *#nes e#t%er #n

spry p#nt or p#nt s1'ee>e( o't o! t%e t'bes--- I &nt t%e %#story o! t%e

p#nt#n$ to be t%ere n( I try not to t%#nk bo't t%#n$s be#n$ /#stkes #n

t%e p#nt#n$--- t%ey.re prt o! t%e p#nt#n$-8

W%y #s #t t%t ** o! t%e ev#(en"e po#nts to&r(s !ree&#** not be#n$ re* b't

t%e &%o*e &or*( see/s to be%ve *#ke #t.s #s 0 even *& "o'rts-

Cn nyone %e*p t%#nk#n$ &%t t%ey t%#nk: I! yo' "o'*() &o'*( be#n$ r#"%or poor /ke ?ot o! (#!!eren"e: 5n( #! yo' t%#nk yo' "o'*( t%#nk

t%o'$%t be!ore yo' t%#nk #t) &%o #s t%e person (e"#(#n$ &%t t%o'$%ts to

*et t%ro'$%:



A cut version of the painting above it – much better?

Tr'(y Benson<s p#nt#n$s (#re"t*y evo*ve o't o! %er re*t#ons%#p &#t%

r'(#/entry $rp%#" pro$r/s s'"% s W#n(o&s P#nt n( Br's%es- Her

or#$#n* #n!*'en"e #s !o'n(e( #n /e/or#es o! exp*or#n$ +"P#nt on n o*(

+" SE s "%#*(- T%e p#nt#n$s !o'n( #n P5INT b*en( per!e"t*y Benson<s

!!#n#ty to bstr"t p#nt#n$ n( /o(ern te"%no*o$y &%#*e *so exp*or#n$

(#*o$'e &#t% "*ss#"* p#nt#n$ /ot#!s s'"% s t%e ven's p'(#"- T%ere #s

n #nterest#n$ %ybr#( o! #n!*'en"e *yere( &#t%#n t%ese p#nt#n$s) &%#"% t

!#rst $*n"e "n pper s s#/p*e "o**$e o! bstr"t #n!or/t#on- T%e

rt#st<s s%pes n( strokes o! t%e p#ntbr's% (%ere to no sense o! $rv#ty

n( v#e&er &#** not !#n( ny %or#>on *#ne to %e*p pos#t#on %#/ or %erse*!

&#t%#n t%e &ork- T%e *on$er n #n(#v#('* stn(s be!ore one o! Tr'(y

Benson<s &orks t%e /ore t%e "nvs reve*s #tse*! to t%e v#e&er re*/

&%#"% ex#sts 'n#1'e*y bet&een t%e (#$#t* n( p%ys#"* &or*(s-

Benson<s p#nt#n$s *#ke "o/p'ter s"reen "ont#n strn$e sense o!

!*ttene() s%**o& sp"e- Yet) %er %evy pp*#"t#on o! p#nt n( /ter#*s

p*"es v#e&er #n v#s'* p*y$ro'n( o! re* n( #**'s#onry sp"e) &%#"%

#s not "ont#ne( #n t%e (#$#t* "o'nterprt- T%e rt#st<s exp*ort#on o!

sp"e #n p#nt#n$ "ont#n'es &#t% %er (ptt#on o! t%e "#ty<s te"%n#1'e o!

"*en#n$ 'p $r!!#t# #n ne#$%bor%oo(s) &%ere *r$e p#nt ro**ers re 'se( to

p#nt o't t%e $r!!#t#- T%e $r!!#t# re/ov* te"%n#1'e !'n"t#ons s#/#*r*y

to t%e not#on o! portb*e %o*e)< v#s'* trope t%t Benson #s *so

en$$#n$ #n t%#s ne& bo(y o! &ork- Benson 't#*#>es t%e /sk#n$ o! n

'n(er p#nt#n$) or "ens'r#n$ *#ke #n t%e ven's p'(#") to (r& /ore

ttent#on n( #n1'#ry to &%t #s %#((en benet% t%e ne&est *yer o! p#nt-

To 'n*o"k t%#s ex%#b#t#on #t #s key to /ke note o! t%e rt#st<s 'se o!

re('"t#ve te"%n#1'es) &%#"% "ont#n n ((#t#ve v*'e- T%ere #s no e(#t 'n(o !or Tr'(y Benson<s p#nt#n$s- Every *yer n( text're o! t%e "nvs



#s e/br"e(@ e"% p#nt#n$ ren(er#n$ n %onest tn$#b*e representt#on o!

#ts o&n %#story-

O! "ontent) t%ere &ere t&o pr#/ry spe"ts o! t%e &ork t%t sserte(t%e#r 't%or#ty- One be#n$ t%e obv#o's (evot#on to !or/*#s/ n( t%e

se"on( stren$t% #s %o& t%e p#nt v#s'**y /#/#"s te"%no*o$#"* !!e"ts

nor/**y !o'n( #n p%otos%op n( ot%er p#nt pro$r/s- Bot% o! t%ese re

stron$ ssets t%t "rete &#(e rn$e o! v#v#( n( en$$#n$ s'b?e"t

/tter-

Re( ,reen) 2349) o#* n( "ry*#" on pne*



+oon Over +#/#) 2342) on &oo( pne*

T%ere<s expose( &oo(

It ?'st (#( not 1'#te re$#ster &%ere I %( seen #t **- Tr'(y Benson "o'*(be r'nn#n$ t%ro'$% br#e! %#story o! bstr"t#on) s !st s %'/n*y

poss#b*e- S%e "*#/s #nsp#rt#on) t%o'$%) *ess #n ot%er rt#sts t%n #n

W#n(o&s P#nt n( n o*( +" SE- S're eno'$%) %er e*e/ents %ve &y

o! t'rn#n$ 'p #n /ore t%n one p#nt#n$) s #! re"o/b#ne( &#t% /o'se

"*#"k- =or t%e o!!0k#*ter s1'res) typ#"**y ne'tr* tones) s%e /#$%t %ve %#t

Ctr*0N- S%e p*#n*y en?oys strt#n$ &#t% t%e /ost pr#/#t#ve so!t&re

poss#b*e) n( s t%e (e*er notesF s%e never (oes !#n( t%e Un(o-

%ttp;MM&&&-%berrts-"o/Mpo'r-%t/Xbenson

Benson<s !ervor !or t%e p%ys#"* "t o! p#nt#n$ #s re(#*y ev#(ent #n %er

/rk0/k#n$@ %er v#s"o's $est'res evoke t%e ono/topoe#" *n$'$e o!

"o/#" books tk#n$ s%pe s bo*( sp*'nks) s%oops) n( sp*ts t%t

e/er$e s"'*pt'r**y !ro/ t%e s'r!"e o! t%e "nvs- T%e s#n$'*r#ty o! t%e

/rk – s "ons#(ere( !ro/ n rt %#stor#"* "ontext – #s #/portnt to t%e

rt#st &%o sys I &nt t%e br's%strokes to be 9D #/$e o! &%t

(r&#n$ o! br's%stroke &o'*( *ook *#ke-

http://www.haberarts.com/pour.htm#benson

http://www.haberarts.com/pour.htm#benson



Trudy Benson Broo!"yn Ar#$s#

So/et#/es yo' *ook t p#nt#n$ to ppre"#te s"ene t%t so/eone %sbro'$%t to *#!e- 5n( so/et#/es yo' *ook t p#nt#n$ n( yo'<re !#**e(

http://annstreetstudio.com/2013/12/13/trudy-benson/

http://annstreetstudio.com/2013/12/13/trudy-benson/



&#t% v#s"er*) #ntense ener$y- S'"% #s t%e &ork o! t*ente( bstr"t

p#nter Tr'(y Benson- W%#*e st#** re*t#ve*y yo'n$ rt#st) Tr'(y %s

*re(y be$'n to stke %er "*#/ #n t%e bstr"t rt s"ene) n( #t<s esy to

see &%y- Her &ork %s – bot% p%ys#"**y n( #nte**e"t'**y – sever* *yers

to #t) /es/er#>#n$ t%e v#e&er-

We &ere *'"ky eno'$% to $et to'r o! Tr'(y<s st'(#o &#t% o'r !r#en( +r#

Br#to n( to t*k to %er bo't %er &ork) &%t #t<s *#ke to be &r#tten bo't

#n t%e Ne& York T#/es) n( %o& /'"% p#nt s%e "t'**y 'ses

On %er p#nt#n$ sty*e;

I</ t%#nk#n$ bo't (#!!erent #tert#ons o! t%#n$s – to /e) re( stroke

t%ere "o'*( be */ost 9D p#nt#n$ o! Roy G#"%tenste#n.s br's%stroke

*#t%o$rp%) &%#"% &s *#t%o$rp% o! p#nt#n$- So t%ere<s (#!!erent*yers %ere- B't s !r s t%e pro"ess $oes) I 's'**y strt o!! re**y

s#/p*y%ere) I strte( o!! &#t% t%#s re**y s#/p*e "o/pos#t#on o! t%e

(#!!erent &#n(o&sb't !ro/ t%ere) t%e rest o! t%e p#nt#n$ #s tot**y

#nt'#t#ve- It<s s*o& pro"ess) so I</ not &ork#n$ *#ke J"kson Po**o"k or

nyt%#n$-

I &ork on *ot o! p#e"es t on"e) be"'se I %ve to- T%ere<s *ot o!

tp#n$ o!! over t%e o#* p#nt- I 'se %#r p#"k) p*st#" %#r0p#"k) n( on"e

I<ve tpe( o!! "#r"*e n( !#**e( #t #n &#t% re**y t%#"k o#* p#nt) t%en I

(r$$e( t%e "o/b t%ro'$% #t- 5n( t%en t%ese re s1'ee>e( o't o! t%e

t'be) n( t%en I s"rpe( t%e/ (o&n &#t% s1'ee$ee-

On %er be$#nn#n$s #n bstr"t p#nt#n$;

Yo' kno& J'*es (e B*#n"o'rt) t%e p#nter: He (#( st'(#o v#s#t &%en I

&s #n $r( s"%oo*) n( /y p#nt#n$s be"/e /ore n( /ore express#ve)

n( I &s /k#n$ t%ese Bt/n p#nt#n$s – t%t &s &%en t%e Bt/n

/ov#es &ere "o/#n$ o't – n( #t &s bre*y !#$'rt#ve b't yo' "o'*( st#**

k#n( o! te** #t &s !"e) n( t%en %e &s *#ke) We**) &%y re yo' st#**

/k#n$ !#$'rt#ve p#nt#n$s: Hve yo' /(e ny bstr"t p#nt#n$s: 5n( I

&s *#ke) O%- So I ?'st strte( try#n$ to /ke t%e/) n( I re*#>e( I %(

$otten bore( &#t% !#$'rt#on n( I &s ?'st *ook#n$ !or #/$es to p#nt

&%ere #t &sn<t ne"essr#*y re*evnt to %o& t%e p#nt#n$ &s p#nte(- B't

I t%#nk so/e o! t%ese) t%ey<re st#** k#n( o! st#** *#ves) #n &y- So/et#/es I

t%#nk bo't t%e/ s st#** *#ves o! (#$#t* pro$r/s-

On #nsp#rt#on !ro/ %er "%#*(%oo(;

http://hortongallery.com/artist/trudybenson/works

http://www.mariabrito.com/#/home/


http://hortongallery.com/artist/trudybenson/works





+y ((<s been "o/p'ter pro$r//er s#n"e t%e 3s) n( I re/e/ber %e

'se( to tke /e to Tke Yo'r D'$%ter to Work Dy) so I *&ys 'se( to

(r& on %#s "o/p'ter n( t%t<s t%e on*y t%#n$ I (#(- I &sn<t (r&#n$

nyt%#n$) I &s ?'st k#n( o! p*y#n$ &#t% t%e too*s-

5!ter I strte( /k#n$ t%ese p#e"es) t%ey !e*t k#n( o! !/#*#r to /e- I !ee*

*#ke I ppro"%e( t%#n$s #n t%e s/e &y s I (#( t%ent%ere<s sense o!

!ree(o/) I $'ess) &%en yo'<re (r&#n$ on "o/p'ter) or ?'st (oo(*#n$ on

p#e"e o! pper) or on yo'r p%one or so/et%#n$) t%t I respon( to- T%t<s

&%t I re**y en?oye( bo't /k#n$ t%ese-

W%o #nsp#res yo':

5 !r#en( o! /#ne) Jo%nny 5br%/s – %e %( %#s !#rst so*o s%o& t J"k

Hn*ey ,**ery) n( %e (oes t%ese p#nt#n$st%ey<re tot**y b*"k n(&%#te b't t%ey %ve t%#s "r>y e!!e"t &%en yo' strt to *ook t t%e/) t%ey

strt to !*s% n( "rete t%ese r#nbo&s) even t%o'$% t%ey<re ** b*"k n(

&%#te- To /e t%ey k#n( o! see/ *#ke t%ey<re $#!s or so/et%#n$&%en t%ey

&ere #nst**e() t%e p#nt#n$s &ere %'$e n( %'n$ re**y "*ose to$et%er) so

be#n$ #n t%e roo/ &s k#n( o! *#ke) everyt%#n$ &s !*s%#n$ t%e &%o*e t#/e

b't #t &s tot**y n*o$ p#nt#n$-

I *so *#ke Kerst#n Brts"%- 5n( I ?'st t%o'$%t o! not%er e/er$#n$ rt#st

– +r#% Dekken$- Her &ork #s *so #n!*'en"e( by (#$#t* #/$#n$) b't

s%e *so /kes t%ese s"reensvers- S%e (oes re**y "oo* st'!!-

On t%e #/portn"e o! p%ys#"* p#nt#n$s;

Peop*e re *&ys s'rpr#se( &%en t%ey "o/e to /y st'(#oso/e peop*e

on*y see p#"t'res o! t%e/ on*#ne n( t%ey (on<t re*#>e %o& /'"% p#nt #s

"t'**y on t%e/- T%t<s k#n( o! t%e /ost #/portnt t%#n$) #s t%t t%ese

ren<t (#$#t* pr#nts-

I t%#nk #t<s re**y #/portnt to be /k#n$ "t'* p#nt#n$s r#$%t no&- I

(on<t re**y ever t%#nk peop*e stoppe( /k#n$ p#nt#n$s#t (oes be"o/e

"y"*#"*- B't I (o t%#nk #t<s re**y #/portnt to /k#n$ p#nt#n$s r#$%t no&-

+ybe t%e peop*e &%o re "t'**y p#nt#n$ re /k#n$ /ore express#ve

&ork or so/et%#n$ be"'se t%t<s one t%#n$ t%t yo' "n<t (o &#t% yo'r

p%one or yo'r "o/p'ter- Yo' "n see p#"t're o! #t) b't #t<s tot**y

(#!!erent #n person) *&ys) even #! #t<s n #**'s#on#st#" p#nt#n$-

W%t &s #t *#ke to %ve &r#te0'p #n t%e Ne& York T#/es:

I re/e/ber Sen sk#n$ /e) W%t (o yo' &nt to %ve %ppen &#t% t%es%o&: 5n( I &s *#ke) O%) I &o'*( *ove to %ve t%e Ne& York T#/es

http://johnnyabrahams.com/

http://gavinbrown.biz/home/artists/kerstin-bratsch.html

http://www.elipinggallery.com/archive/2013/mariah/

http://johnnyabrahams.com/

http://gavinbrown.biz/home/artists/kerstin-bratsch.html

http://www.elipinggallery.com/archive/2013/mariah/



rev#e& #t) n( I &s ?'st k#n( o!I (#(n<t re**y kno& #! t%t &o'*( %ppen

or not So t%t<s k#n( o! been /y (re/ !or *on$ t#/e- I &s re**y

%ppy &#t% #t-

Yo'r %'sbn() R'sse** Ty*er) *so p#nts- Ho& /'"% p#nt (o yo' $o

t%ro'$% bet&een t%e t&o o! yo':

H He "t'**y 'ses *ess) %e<s /k#n$ s/**er &ork- I t%#nk I 'se /ore

p#nt t%n %#/be"'se #t<s so t%#"k- We bot% 'se *ot o! p#nt- I (on<t

even kno& %o& /'"%



http://www.gorkysgranddaughter.com/2012/0/trudy!benson!sept!2012.htm"

I %ve n obv#o's b#s to&r(s or$n#") express#ve bstr"t#on n( o!ten

$et t'rne( o!! by ny (#sp*ys o! $eo/etr#" e*e/ents) espe"#**y #! t%ose

e*e/ents re t%ro&n #n s n !tert%o'$%t- T%#s #s 's'**y be"'se

$eo/etr#" bstr"t#on *ooks so t/e "o/pre( to pss#onte) rebe**#o's

&ork *#ke Benson<s- B't Benson<s $r#(s serve $ret p'rpose %ere- +'"%

*#ke %er %r( e($es) t%e $r#(s **o& t%e p#nt#n$ n( v#e&erF to bret%

n( en?oy t%e br's%&ork even /ore- T%ey serve t%e s/e p'rpose t%t

http://www.gorkysgranddaughter.com/2012/09/trudy-benson-sept-2012.html

http://www.gorkysgranddaughter.com/2012/09/trudy-benson-sept-2012.html



b"k0'p s#n$ers (o Q t%ey en%n"e n( s'pport t%e *e( Q &%#"% #n t%#s

"se &o'*( be t%e $or$eo's #/psto-

,rey Ter) 2349) 5"ry*#") spry p#nt o#* on pne*) 2x938 M

67-6x6-2"/

Hy%er&""er'$(: T)ree Su**er MFA S)o+s T&(!"e ,&$n#$n' &nd I#s

D$s(on#en#s

http://mikeweissgallery.tumblr.com/post/28134168196/hyperallergic-three-summer-mfa-shows-tackle-painting






Tr'(y Benson M ,'sto M 2342 M 5"ry*#") o#* en/e*) spry p#nt) s#*#"one

"'*k n( o#* on "nvs M x 73 #n"%es

8S#/#*r #n est%et#") t *est #n ter/s o! s*t%er#n$ t%e p#nt on t%e

"nvs 'nt#* #t *ooks *#ke #t &#** pee* o!!) #s Tr'(y Benson<s &ork ,'sto)

*t%o'$% t%#s #s /'"% /ore bo't (#stort#n$ (#/ens#ons s yo'r eye

to$$*es b"k n( !ort% !ro/ t%e spry p#nt to t%e st"ke( p#nte(

!or/s-8



Tr'(y Benson M Unt#t*e( Dr&#n$ M 2342 M sprye( o#* n( s#*#"one on

pper M 44 x 4 #n"%es



Tr'(y Benson M W%#te Spe"tr* +#rror M 2342 M 5"ry*#") o#* en/e*) spry

p#nt) s#*#"one "'*k n( o#* on pne* M 26 x 93 #n"%es

J'ne 2A) 2342

Tr'(y Benson M J% Co#* M 2342 M O#* on "nvs M 69 x 67 #n

J'ne 42) 2342



Tr'(y Benson M St'(#o Sket"% M 2342 M Spry p#nt n( /sk#n$ tpe on

#nk?et pr#nt on "o/p'ter pper M 7- x 44 #n"%es

8B'((y o! Work #s b*o$ t%t #nv#tes rt#sts to s'b/#t n ex/p*e o!

t%e#r pr#/ry &ork *on$s#(e n ex/p*e o! t%e#r per#p%er* b'((yF&ork-<

Benson; I $enerte( t%#s pr#nto't bove s re!eren"e !or P#nt

be*o&) &%#"% #s prt o! n on$o#n$ ser#es o! p#nt#n$s #nsp#re( prt*y

by er*y (#$#t* #/$#n$ so!t&re n( prt*y by 5*bert Oe%*en<s Co/p'ter

P#nt#n$s ser#es- I &nte( to re"rete *#ne t%t (#( not re!eren"e t%e

%n() b't #nste( re!eren"e( t%e &onky n( #/per!e"t **#n"e o! !#n$er

on *ptop to'"%p(-<



Tr'(y Benson M P#nt M 2342 M 5"ry*#") o#* en/e*) spry p#nt) n( o#* on

"nvs M 69 x 67 #n"%es

T)e d$'$#&" (&n-&s: ne+ #e()no"o'y &nd .s# (en#ury %&$n#$n'

D$'$#&" $*&'$n' &nd & ne+ "&n'u&'e o0 %&$n#$n'

http://mikeweissgallery.tumblr.com/post/24626157327/the-digital-canvas-new-technology-and-21st-century






8Tr'(y Benson boveF) n e/er$#n$ 5/er#"n p#nter) spe"#!#"**y re*tes

%er "%o#"e o! /ter#*s n( sty*#st#" $est'res to s'"% expos're;

.+yF p#nt#n$s re /(e &#t% "ry*#") =*s%e) One0S%ot en/e*) spry


/rk s &e** s (#!!erent s'r!"e 1'*#ty- 5*so) /y very !#rst bstr"t

p#nt#n$s &ere /(e s "%#*( on n n"#ent b*"k n( &%#te +" &#t%

+#"roso!t P#nt.s b'#*t0#n too*s; t%e pen"#*) t%e p#ntbr's%) t%e spry "n)t%e !#** b'"ket) n( t%e $r(#ent-.

Benson<s exper#en"e n( s'bse1'ent re!eren"es re) &e s'$$est) !r !ro/

#so*te() /k#n$ !or (#$#t* ss#/#*t#on /ore extens#ve n( %o*#st#" t%n

&e /#$%t on"e %ve #/$#ne(-

Tr'(y Benson M =** O't M 2344 M 5"ry*#") =*s%e) en/e*) spry p#nt n(

o#* on "nvs M 73 x #n"%es 239-2 x 4A-7 "/F



T)e d$'$#&" (&n-&s: ne+ #e()no"o'y &nd .s# (en#ury

%&$n#$n'

D$'$#&" $*&'$n' &nd & ne+ "&n'u&'e o0 %&$n#$n'

By +#ke Brennn

In t%e re*t#ve*y !e& yers s#n"e t%e (vent o! ne& /#**enn#'/)

"onte/porry p#nt#n$ %s &#tnesse( s'rpr#s#n$ n'/ber o! s%#!ts n(

ten(en"#es-

=ro/ br#e! !*#rtt#on &#t% "(e/#" !#$'rt#s/ to +o(ern#st %o/$e)

rene&e( en$$e/ent &#t% bstr"t#on n() *tter*y) #nvest#$t#ons o! t%e

p#nter*y p*t!or/ #tse*!) t%ese /'tt#ons re) #n !"t) e/#nent*y *o$#"*;

essent#**y &%#r*&#n() "%rono*o$#"* tr&* t%ro'$% key spe"ts o! t%e(#s"#p*#ne.s o&n %#story) "%#eve/ents n( "on"erns-

Consp#"'o's by t%e#r re*t#ve bsen"e) %o&ever 0 n( prt#"'*r*y #n

to(y.s p#nt#n$ ren 0 re "*er0"'t s#$ns o! t%e #/p"t o! "o/p'ter

te"%no*o$y@ o! t%e (#$#t*Mn*o$'e %ybr#(#ty &%#"% on"e see/e( *#ke*y to

exten( t%e (#s"o'rse o! p#nt#n$ n( #ts vo"b'*ry #n &ys s spe"t"'*r

n( pervs#ve s t%e ons*'$%t o! .ne&. te"%no*o$y #tse*!- Note 4

Ex"ept#ons (o) o! "o'rse) ex#st) s'"% s t%e &ork o! Tks%# +'rk/#)

&%ose evo*'t#on to&r(s n */ostF ent#re*y (#$#t* pro('"t#on &e.**

to'"% 'pon *ter-

5n( #t.s *#ke&#se tr'e t%t) !or per#o( !ro/ t%e /#(04AA3s to t%e er*y

no'$%t#es) rt#sts s'"% s Sr% +orr#s) +tt%e& R#t"%#e) In +onroe

boveF n( Torben ,#e%*er be*o&F see/e( to be (e!#n#n$ s#/#*r*y

.!'t're0!or&r(. pos#t#ons &#t% p#nt#n$ t%t se*!0ev#(ent*y o&e( #ts sense

o! sp"e to P%otos%op) I**'strtor or C5D) &%#*e st#** "%#/#n$ &#t%

res'r$en"e o! #nterest #n +o(ern#st $eo/etr#" bstr"t#on-

http://www.modernedition.com/art-articles/new-painting/contemporary-painting-digital.html#note

http://www.modernedition.com/art-articles/new-painting/painting-and-print.html

http://www.modernedition.com/art-articles/new-painting/contemporary-painting-digital.html#note

http://www.modernedition.com/art-articles/new-painting/painting-and-print.html



T%ese rt#sts re/#n respe"te( !#$'res) b't t%e#r #n!*'en"e on ne&

$enert#on o! !r /ore p#nter*y p#nters see/s ne$*#$#b*e-

W%#"% r#ses t%e 1'est#on s to %o& !'**y "o/p'ter te"%no*o$y %s

"t'**y #n!#*trte( one o! t%e /ost tr(#t#on* rt#st#" (#s"#p*#nes 0 n(

&%et%er p#nt#n$ #s st#** *ook#n$ to&r(s t%e pst rt%er t%n tte/pt#n$

to s%pe spe"#!#"**y 24st "ent'ry vo"b'*ry-

T%e ns&er) #n !"t) #s t%t ev#(en"e o! (#$#t* ss#/#*t#on #n "'rrent

pr"t#"e #s bso*'te*y /n#!est) ?'st !r /ore s'bt*e t%n &e /#$%t expe"t

#t to be-

It perv(es t%e "nvs pr#/r#*y t%ro'$% re!eren"e to t%e too*s n(

e!!e"ts "o//on*y !o'n( #n even t%e /ost bs#" (#$#t* p#nt#n$ p"k$es-



Tr'(y Benson) n e/er$#n$ 5/er#"n p#nter) spe"#!#"**y re*tes %er

"%o#"e o! /ter#*s n( sty*#st#" $est'res to s'"% expos're;

8+yF p#nt#n$s re /(e &#t% "ry*#") =*s%e) One0S%ot en/e*) spry


/rk s &e** s (#!!erent s'r!"e 1'*#ty---- 5*so) /y very !#rst bstr"t

p#nt#n$s &ere /(e s "%#*( on n n"#ent b*"k n( &%#te +" &#t%

+#"roso!t P#nt.s b'#*t0#n too*s; t%e pen"#*) t%e p#ntbr's%) t%e spry "n)

t%e !#** b'"ket) n( t%e $r(#ent-8

Benson.s exper#en"e n( s'bse1'ent re!eren"es re) &e s'$$est) !r !ro/

#so*te() /k#n$ !or (#$#t* ss#/#*t#on /ore extens#ve n( %o*#st#" t%n&e /#$%t on"e %ve #/$#ne(-

=or $enert#on o! p#nters t%t %s $ro&n 'p #n t%e $r#p o! no&0not0so0

ne& te"%no*o$y) #ts re* #/p"t see/s to nno'n"e #tse*! #n tropes n(

$est'res %ev#*y #n!*'en"e( by so!t&re.s o&n rep*#"t#ons o! tr(#t#on*

p#nt#n$ pro"esses-

T%#s 0 *t%o'$% #t /y not see/ #//e(#te*y obv#o's 0 #s t%e $e o!

p#nt#n$ s !#*tere( t%ro'$% P%otos%op.s !#*ters-



Tr'(y Benson b-4A7 R#"%/on() V5F *#ves n( &orks #n Brook*yn) NY-

S%e re"e#ve( n +=5 !ro/ Prtt Inst#t'te) Brook*yn) NY n( B=5 !ro/

V#r$#n# Co//on&e*t% Un#vers#ty) R#"%/on() V5- T%e rt#st #s

represente( by Horton ,**ery #n Ne& York) &%ere s%e &s re"ent*y

!et're( #n so*o s%o&) $ro'p s%o&) n( t 5rt Br'sse*s-

W%en v#e&er en$$es &#t% one o! Tr'(y Benson.s p#nt#n$s) #t #s s #!

stre/ o! (#$#t* "ons"#o'sness %s p'r$e( #tse*! onto t%e "nvs- Every

&ork "ont#ns &ves o! r#oto's strokes n( spry /rks e/p%s#>#n$ n

#n!*'x o! #n!or/t#on s (#s?o#nte( bstr"t t%o'$%t- Benson exp*ores t%e

&or*( o! (#$#t* sp"e) &%#"% /n#!ests #tse*! be%#n( s"reens 0 p'**#n$

#nsp#rt#on !ro/ %er o&n re*t#ons%#ps to "o/p'ters) "e** p%ones) n(

er*y v#(eo$/es- W#t% 'n(er p#nt#n$s o! $r#(s n( $r(#ents) t%e rt#st

't#*#>es sy/bo*s synony/o's &#t% rt %#story n( /o(ern te"%no*o$y- T%#s(#"%oto/y #n Benson.s &ork "ont#n'es s s%e re(#*y en$$es &#t%

"*ss#"* p#nt#n$ tropes) &%#*e /#nt#n#n$ /e"%n#"* (#*o$'e- T%#s

"o/p*ex &ev#n$ o! "onte/porry &estern #n!*'en"e t%ro'$% r"%etyp*

p#nt#n$ te"%n#1'es) &#t%#n Benson.s #nt'#t#ve /rk /k#n$) prov#(es no

esy &y to enter one o! %er /ss#ve "nvses- T%ere #s (e*#berte

ve*o"#ty n( nx#ety t%t #s "on"entrte( #n t%e &ork- T%e *yers o! p#nt

%ve v#s'**y ppropr#te( t%e #n"essnt %'//#n$ &%#"% #s #n%erent to **

"onte/porry so"#ety 0 #t #s */ost s #! be%#n( e"% set o! stret"%er brs

one &o'*( !#n( n e*e"tr#"* p*'$ !ee(#n$ po&er (#re"t*y #nto t%e &ork-

Benson.s trns*t#on o! te"%no*o$y n( s"reens #nto rt &s see(e( t

yo'n$ $e- Her 8!#rst bstr"t p#nt#n$s &ere /(e s "%#*( on n

n"#ent b*"k n( &%#te +" &#t% +#"roso!t P#nt.s b'#*t0#n too*s; t%e

pen"#*) t%e p#ntbr's%) spry "n) t%e !#** b'"ket) n( t%e $r(#ent-8 T%#s

pr#/ry expos're to (#$#t* rt /k#n$) 'n(o'bte(*y #n!or/e( t%e rt#st

s s%e trns#t#one( #nto /ter#* bse( pr"t#"e- S%e re$'*r*y s1'ee>es

p#nt r#$%t o't o! t%e t'be onto t%e "nvs) n( 'ses spry p#nt &#t%o't

reservt#ons- Her (#re"t rt pr"t#"e "ont#n'es &#t% t%e 'se o! n e#$%t0

#n"% p#nt ro**er- J'st s (#$#t* #n!or/t#on #s never *ost) even !ter

(e*et#on) t%e *r$e s&t"%es o! !res% p#nt !ro/ t%e ro**er 'n#1'e*y

preserves ** prev#o's /rks #n Benson.s p#nt#n$s 0 &%#*e "on"'rrent*y)

"ret#n$ ne& sp"e !or %er to exp*ore) n( /e(#te #n- It #s pprent) t%t

t%e rt#st.s pr"t#"e #s ((#t#ve) n( not s'btr"t#ve- S%e #s not ('nte(

&#t% t%e not#on o! *yers or text'res 0 e"% s/'($e) s/er) b*ot) (ot)

stroke) et") br#n$s *#!e to Benson.s p#nt#n$s- E"% "nvs) n( #ts

#//ense p%ys#"*#ty) "o//n(s roo/ 0 'tono/o's*y present#n$



s*'rry o! "onte/p*t#on &%#"% s#/'*tneo's*y ent#"es n( over&%e*/s

v#e&er-

ZO) 2349) 5"ry*#") spry p#nt o#* on "nvs) x38 M 49-2x42"/



I &s never b#$ !n o! bstr"t#on#s/- B't t%#s %s been yer &%ere I

%ve been "o/p*ete*y s&ept by bstr"t#on#sts n( Tr'(y Benson %s

been) #n prt) respons#b*e !or t%t- Tr'(y #s yo'n$ r#s#n$ str &%ose

#nsp#rt#on "o/es !ro/ t%e t#/e s%e &s "%#*( n( $re& 'p s'rro'n(e(

by "o/p'ters n( +" s"reens- B't s%e #sn.t &ork#n$ &#t% (#$#t* /e(#)

s%e<s p%eno/en* p#nter &%o *yer0'pon0*yer o! "ry*#") o#*) !*s%e)

en/e* n( spry p#nt "%#eves t%e */ost #/poss#b*e !et to (eep*y/ove /e &#t% bstr"t "o/pos#t#ons st'rte( #n bo*( "o*ors-

http://www.trudybenson.com/

http://www.trudybenson.com/



5/er#"n rt#st Tr'(y Benson.s *r$e0s"*e) #nv#$ort#n$ bstr"t#ons reve*

#n t%e poss#b#*#t#es o! p#nt) !ro/ %r(0e($e( $eo/etr#es to !st#(#o's

*#ne&ork) (r#ps) s/ers n( *'s"#o's $r(#ent b*en(s-

Use o! vr#o's p#nt /e(#'/s #n s#n$*e "nvs 0 "ry*#") !*s%e) en/e*)

spry p#nt n( o#* re typ#"* 0 /ke !or s'bt*y (#!!erent text'res n(

!#n#s%es t%t "o/p*e/ent t%e rn$e n( en(evo'r o! %er /rk0/k#n$-

Benson %s s'$$este( t%t %er /#s"e**neo's ppro"% to bot% /ter#*

n( $est're re*tes to 8---/y very !#rst bstr"t p#nt#n$s &%#"%F &ere

/(e s "%#*( on n n"#ent b*"k n( &%#te +" &#t% +#"roso!t P#nt.s

b'#*t0#n too*s; t%e pen"#*) t%e p#ntbr's%) t%e spry "n) t%e !#** b'"ket)

n( t%e $r(#ent-8

T%ere.s "ert#n*y tr"e o! t%#s (#$#t* pprent#"es%#p #n t%e "'rrent

ppern"e o! %er %#$%*y0*yere() b'st*#n$ "nvses) *t%o'$% Benson.s

!on(ness !or text'r* p*y 0 "r'ste( p#nt n( */ost #/probb*y "%'nky

#/psto 0 #s !r "ry !ro/ t%e !*tness o! on0s"reen #/$ery-



5 "*#ppe( vers#on o! Ye**o& P#nt#n$ on p- 23 boveF

I person**y *#ke t%e s#/p*e p#nt#n$s) &#t% ?'st 9 or vo#"es- C

Trudy Benson Interview

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Transcript of Trudy Benson Interview