#benslow

[impermanent-art]

Portrait of Alain LeRoy Locke by Ben Slow in Philadelphia. Painted in October 2018. Artist’s statement: “Alain LeRoy Locke, a leading black intellectual during the early twentieth century and an important supporter of the Harlem Renaissance, was born in Philadelphia on September 13, 1885. Locke has been widely regarded as the originator of the New Negro Movement and the Harlem Renaissance. His main contribution to both movements was the promotion and emphasis on values, diversity, and race relations.”

[lamolinastreetart]

'Charlie Burns' by British artist Ben Slow (@benslow) in London, UK (2011) #benslow #london #uk #londonstreetart #streetartlondon #ukstreetart #streetartuk #charlieburns #streetart #urbanart #mural #graffiti #paintedcities #streetartistry #photographiederue #peinturederue #streetphoto #streetphotography #life_is_street #streetlife #streetartchat #urbacolors #contemporaryart #streetartpassion 📷 via isupportstreetart.com | bit.ly/36v0oxM (bij London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5u-YwRqvT4/?igshid=1pc8h6iqlnl3n

[lamolinastreetart]

'It weighs so heavy' by British artist Ben Slow (@benslow) in Denver (CO), USA (2018) #benslow #denver #colorado #usa #denverstreetart #coloradostreetart #usastreetart #heavy #streetart #urbanart #mural #graffiti #artwork #muralpainting #wallpainting #streetarteverywhere #urbanwalls #instastreetart #instagraffiti #streetartheaven #streetartofficial #jj_urbanart #jj_urbex_ #muralartist 📷 via Insta artist | bit.ly/36xJdfp (bij Denver , Colorado, USA) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5bRC8VKwrB/?igshid=3vxah8ywzc36

[cdnzine]

#benslow #streetart #art #thorntonheath #graffporn #cronx #croydon #ldn #cdn #agameoftones #lottieloveslondon #timeoutlondon #yourcroydonpics #cronx #croydon #maybeLDNer #eastcroydoncool #uk #aauk #nightmode #night #samsung #galaxyS10plus (at Thorthon Health) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3v0_z1nW3j/?igshid=c290cc1usmp1

[vervainee]

Am I Right. Where You Want Me — — Artist: @benslow #benslow — — #streetart #urbanart #art #mural #muralism #publicart #newcontemporary #urbancontemporary @urbannationberlin #un #urbannationberlin #amiright #whereyouwantme #josephloughborough #berlin #schönebergberlin #insearchofstreetart #vervainee #justbevervainee https://www.instagram.com/p/BvDZE3-lkKe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17x554cvzdjf2

[black-book-gallery]

: If you could choose only one, would you rather be thought of as a great artist or a nice person? Ben Slow: Well thats question and a half isn’t it?! Separating myself from my art is something I continue to battle with. I know that my worth as an individual is not defined by my work but it can be difficult to separate the two, especially at this stage in my career. The art can be all consuming and I love that at times, especially now as a single man, I am enjoying the fact I can be selfish and not worry about anyone but myself for a while – But longterm I’m not sure thats overly positive. I care too much what other people think about me as a person (Something else I don’t think your meant to admit I am sure) to be too much of an arsehole. Don’t get me wrong, I can certainly be a dick at times and it certainly isn’t helped by the fact that I struggle with boundaries, or more a lack of any. I think I am starting to slowly accept that about myself and realizing that is simply who I am and I would like to think it comes from a place of anxiety and self doubt rather than anything too malicious. A good few people I know who are ‘successful’ definitely have that element of arsehole about them that I just don’t think is in me and I am ok with that, Im just too sensitive for that sort of thing. I reckon I will take successful enough to be happyish (Whatever that is) but also a good and positive personal existence. It’s something I am working on for sure – Striking the right balance which I think is the key to most things in life. Like my artwork, it is very much a work in progress. Visit our website for the full interview and accompanying text. You can also view artwork online - Follow link in our profile. “Untitled” 20 x 27 inches - Spray paint, acrylic, oil paint, pencil, paint thinner and mixed media on paper @benslow #benslow #treadinganewpath #artexhibition #contemporaryart #fineart #artcollector #artwork #artsy #denver #blackbookgallery #selfportrait #artoftheday (at Black Book Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpxQ8QYgfRf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19owmpt23radc

[black-book-gallery]

: Describe your work environment – Music, TV, Movies, things you drink/smoke, time of day etc Ben Slow: I have been nomad for the past year or so, living with friends and having a few different work set ups. When I started I was in too much of a comfortable situation in a lot of ways and I could not get going. Pieces were started but far from being finished. On top of that I was in a really dark place and so was very distracted and finding it near impossible to focus. It all changed for me a couple of months ago when I was forced out of that space and into more of a studio environment. Until then I had not realized the importance of work space, I guess I had always taken it for granted but as soon as I sat in that space and had room to work, I got straight into it. It freed me up and I went from finding it hard to focus for more than an hour to pulling 14 hour days and pretty much lived that for a month, working right to the deadline as I always seem to. In terms of studio vibes, its either horribly eclectic playlists or a serious amount of burning through podcasts. I definitely need something going on in my ears to help focus me. In the past I wasn’t getting up until 3 or 4 in the afternoon and working through to to a similar time in the AM but it’s a little healthier nowadays. I am about as far away as you can possibly be from being a morning person, but I have become slightly better. I’ll wake up around 10 and be painting by 10:30 or 11 usually. I might take the odd break here or there but in the final stages of getting this work done, I wouldn’t leave the studio for 3 or 4 days at a time, get up, paint, sleep repeat which is why I am now enjoying my freedom out here in the States. Visit our website for the full interview and accompanying text. You can also view artwork online - Follow link in our profile. “So We Can Move On” 46 x 58 inches - Spray paint, acrylic, oil paint, pencil, paint thinner and mixed media on canvas @benslow #benslow #treadinganewpath #artexhibition #contemporaryart #fineart #artcollector #artwork #artsy #denver #blackbookgallery #artoftheday #art (at Black Book Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BptK9p_Anv8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ez922724a4o9

[black-book-gallery]

: Your work on the streets to your work in a gallery/canvas translates very well, what are the challenges/goals/etc you find working this way? Ben Slow: The 2 processes are very different for me. As much as the street work certainly has an element of chaos, it’s not anywhere near how I work in the studio. I enjoy painting on the street because of the opportunity it affords me to see new places and meet new people and it is certainly fun to push myself and put pressure on myself to perform if you will – But at the same time I struggle with a lot of what street art is becoming. If you speak to most street artists nowadays, advertising their work is a big part of why they paint outside or simply to make good money. I don’t have any issue if that is what they are happy doing and they are honest about it but personally I struggle a bit with a lot of that. There is no question painting on the streets can ‘help’ your career in a variety of ways but it doesn’t sit well with me at times so I have certainly slowed down with the amount I am doing outside and just trying to do it when it is the right project for me. Visit our website for the full interview and accompanying text. You can also view artwork online - Follow link in our profile. “It Starts With The Decision To Take Control” 40 x 40 inches - Spray paint, acrylic, oil paint, pencil, paint thinner and mixed media on canvas mounted to wood @benslow #benslow #treadinganewpath #artexhibition #contemporaryart #fineart #artcollector #artwork #artsy #denver #blackbookgallery #artoftheday (at Black Book Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BppCyNGAR-F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16510wql1s6tk