Tim Benson ROI

Tim Benson (b. 1978)

Educated at Glasgow School of Art and Byam Shaw School of Art between 1998-2001, contemporary artist Tim Benson – known for painterly modern portraiture – has recently received recognition with his Election as an Associate of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. He is a practiced portrait artist and not only creates a distinguishable representation of a sitter, but moreover evokes the subject’s character and mood. He ultimately leaves the viewer questioning the larger context, as presented in the surroundings and settings of pieces.

“I strive to make an image that offers more than simple representation – something with an emotive quality that captures the viewer’s imagination.”

Tim Benson regularly exhibits in solo and group exhibitions around the UK. He displays fine art portraits that stand on their own as collectible works of art, and accordingly has established a following and collector base. In addition to his fine art pieces, he accepts formal portrait and figurative commissions in oil or charcoal.

Tim is based in the Chocolate Factory studio in North London. He regularly invites sitters to the

studio, and also travels to subjects’ own environments to present individuals in their own private settings.

Education:
1999-2001: Fine Art degree, Byam Shaw School of Art
1998-1999: First year Fine Art degree, Glasgow School of Art
1996-1997: Art Foundation course, Middlesex University

Selected Solo Exhibitions:
2008: East Anglian Landscapes, Highgate Fine Art,

London;
2007: British Landscapes, Rafael Valls, Mayfair, London;
2006: Aspects of the Subcontinent, Highgate Fine Art, London;
2003: British Skyscapes, Lauderdale House.

Selected Group Exhibitions:
2011: Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Competition, King’s Place Gallery, London;
2010: Annual Exhibition – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries, London;
Two Artists – Hay Hill Gallery, Cork Street, London;
Two Artists – Island Fine Arts, Isle of Wight;

Group Show – Highgate Contemporary Art, London;
Cambridge Art Fair – Enid Lawson Gallery;
Summer Show – Highgate Contemporary Art, London;
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park, London – Island Fine Arts and Enid Lawson Gallery.
2009: Annual Exhibition – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries, London;
Three Artists: Landscapes – Island Fine Arts;
Changing Hang – Enid Lawson Gallery, Marylebone, London;
Affordable Art Fair, Bristol – Enid Lawson Gallery;
Cambridge Art Fair – Enid Lawson Gallery;
Summer Show – Highgate Fine Art, London;
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park, London – Enid Lawson Gallery and Island Fine Arts;
Harrogate Art Fair – Enid Lawson Gallery;
Edinburgh Art Fair – Enid Lawson Gallery.
2008: Annual Exhibition – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries, London;
Antiques for the Future –Norman Adams, Knightsbridge, London;
British Antique Dealers’ Association fair, Chelsea, London;
Summer show – Highgate Fine Art, London;
Summer show – Island Fine Arts, Isle of Wight;
Summer landscapes – Thompson’s, Aldeburgh;
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park, London – Island Fine Arts;
Noel Noel – Highgate Fine Art Gallery, London.
2007: Annual Exhibition – Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mall Galleries, London;
Annual Exhibition – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries, London;
Cultural Expo – Pakistan High Commission, London;
Summer show – Highgate Fine Art, London;
Charity Exhibition – The Canterbury Oast Trust;
Noel Noel – Highgate Fine Art, London.
2006: Annual Exhibition – Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mall Galleries, London;
Noel Noel – Highgate Fine Art, London.
2005: Noel Noel – Highgate Fine Art, London.
2004: Annual Exhibition – Thompson’s City, London;
New Landscapes – Thompson’s City, London;
Noel Noel – Highgate Fine Art, London.
2003: Annual Exhibition – Thompson’s City, London;
Three New Artists – CCA Galleries, Mayfair, London;
Changing Hang – Thompson’s City, London;
Commission – Le Meridien Hotel, London;
Group Exhibition – Karen Taylor Gallery, Twickenham;
September Show – Thompson’s Marylebone, London;
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park – Thompson’s;
Christmas Show – Catto Gallery, Hampstead, London.
2002: Past Masters – Stroud House Gallery, Gloucestershire;
Fresh Art – Business Design Centre, Islington, London;
Group Exhibition – Fairfax Gallery, Tunbridge-Wells;
Group Exhibition – Moreton Contemporary, Pimlico, London.
2001: Braving the Elements – Vertigo Gallery, Hoxton, London.

Awards:
2011: Elected Associate of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.
2010: 2^nd prize, Winsor & Newton Young Artist award, Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries.
2004: 3^rd prize, Winsor & Newton Young Artist award, Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries.

Notable Sitters:
2011: Brian Cox CBE.
2010: Andrew James VPRP.
2008: Michael Palin CBE.

Media / Press:
October 2011: The Artist’s Magazine;
July 2011: ‘Dynamic portraits in Oil with Tim Benson AROI’ DVD, TownHouse Films.

Teaching:
2010 – Present: Portraiture tutor at Hampstead School of Art;
2007 – Present: Portraiture tutor, Heatherley School of Art, Chelsea;
2010 – Present: Private tutor, Oil Painting.