Meet Ben

What is your secret identity outside of Elmo's?

Outside of Elmo's, I identify myself as a 'maker,' I guess. I make my own art and I make things for/with other people (or at least I have for the past four years or so working as a sort of uncertified-freelance-fabricator on various projects). Also, I consider myself a 'draftsman/doodler/drawer.'

How did you get interested in art and where did you study?

I've had some sort of drawing tool in my hand since before I can remember. There have been many people and experiences that have affected and molded who I am today and what I do with my time, but deep down I've always been an artist. In my junior year of high school I decided that art was "what I wanted to do." I ended up going to Tyler School of Art of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, where I graduated with a BFA in painting.

Describe your art.

It's hard to describe my art 'all-encompassingly' (thank you Mitch Hedberg) in a word or two, and I'm not into lonnng answers, so I won't try to describe it too specifically. A lot of my art involves refuse and found objects, although beyond the trash the materials and methods I use are fairly varied: metal, wood, paper, fiberglass, pens, pencils, crayons, acrylics, oils, watercolors, oil pastels, dry pastels, spray paint, etching, and possibly more that I cannot think of right now. A lot of my art (particularly my sculpture) is altarpiece-like.

Are there any recurring images in your work?

Yes. Nothing specific and important enough to mention though. Generally, religious imagery (esp. Adam and Eve), bears, fish, trees, bees, clowns, faces, masks, and a lot of other things.

What influences what you create?

Most of my work is inspired by the world around me, specifically the trash and refuse, the byproducts of modern convenience. Television, especially cartoons, has had a major influence on my concepts as well as my style. Music, the way that it's composed and the way it can convey emotion abstractly has affected how I approach art. My catholic upbringing and education certainly influence narratives within my work. Northern Renaissance painters, Van Gogh, and Basquiat are some major influences as far as visual artists go to name a few.

Tell us a little about the “giant oven” and the Splinter car that you worked on.

The "giant oven" is a (roughly) 25' (length) by 13' (diameter) cylindrical chamber made primarily of fiberglass and a material called maronite. The oven, or rather, ovens (technically there are three to date) are being used to test anti-missile missiles for transport across the country. My involvement with this project is working for the company that has been contracted by the government to test these missiles: fabricating and then assembling the oven on the test site (where it eventually blows up). The 'ovens' project is still going on.

The Splinter car is an all-wooden super car that I helped to build a few years ago. It was an awesome, once-in-a-lifetime project in which I was lucky enough participate. Check it out: http://joeharmon.blogspot.com/ It's the best way to get a fairly detailed look at the day to day processes. http://www.joeharmondesign.com/ The official website.

Do you try to sell your work?

I've tried, half-heartedly and mostly unsuccessfully. I guess I'm more of a making-artist than a selling-artist.

Do you have any shows coming up?  What is the best way to get in touch with you to view your work?

Not necessarily. I will be in the Durham Art Walk this April 9 and 10, and since I currently have no website, that's the best way to see my art right now. If one were seriously interested in taking an in depth look at my work, he or she might email me to get that process started: breworben@gmail.com.