For Ben Henriques, sensory perception is central. Rather than merely replicating material textures like wood or clay, he focuses on the tactile sensation of paint meeting canvas. His painterly pursuit aims to capture a fleeting connection with nature, mirroring the essence of his initial inspiration. Henriques’ paintings delve into the dialogue between humanity and the natural world, with nature as the focal point, observed over time and space.
While classified as still life, they convey a sense of motion. The artist will often use a mahl stick to stabilise his brush, making subtle adjustments to mirror the nuances of nature. Closer examination of his brushstrokes additionally reveals a sense of urgency as he appears to both contend with and acknowledge the challenge of achieving perfection on the canvas.
Born in Cheshire in 1967, Henriques studied Fine Art at Newcastle University from 1986 to 1990. He currently resides and works in both the West Highlands of Scotland, and London. His artistic endeavours have spanned various exhibitions and galleries over the years. Notable exhibitions have included "Scottish Landscapes" at William Hardie in Glasgow in 1992, multiple appearances at The National Portrait Gallery Awards in London throughout the 1990s, and both solo, and group exhibitions at Jonathan Cooper, Browse & Darby, and Mall Galleries in London. His work has also been featured internationally.