15 Mai 2017 : Noel Bensted : Out of the Shadows

Art Exhibition "Out of the Shadows", Recent works of Fez and Morocco by Noel Bensted, at the ALIF Riad from May 15th though May 26th, from 4 to 6PM daily

Opening Sunday, May 15, 6:30 PM

This selection of drawings, paintings, and prints documents my relationship with Morocco and in particular Fes over the last four years. I always work from life and often on the spot. My images are of modern people, yet in a classic style in this elegant and private city.

To arrive in this city in December of 2012 seeking light and calm, away from the gloom of London, I was enchanted.

Here was a city and way of life that had echoes stretching back to

antiquity through the Arab Golden ages, yet still continuing,

notwithstanding the "Ville Nouvelle" and modern,

instant communication. Daily patterns are seen that would have

been familiar a thousand years ago.

For me, an incurable romantic and a lover of southern light and the

great European masters of the 17th century, every street corner

had a light source reminiscent of a Caravaggio, an old man

resembling a Rembrandt portrait, children looking like the paintings

of Murillo, and fabrics and draperies out of Ancient Rome. The

courtesy, manners, and welcome I’ve been given in old Fes are

unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Whilst drawing and

painting in the Medina people have often gone out of their way to

make me comfortable and welcome. The wonderful sharp light,

striking faces, and bleached colours of the ancient city daily

enrapture me. I hope my paintings do the city justice.

About the Artist

Educated in Kent.

BA First Degree ( Honours) illustration 1989-1991 Brighton University.

U.K

MA Royal College of Art. Illustration London U.K

1991/1993.

1993-96 resident in New York USA

1996 – 2013 visiting Lecturer in Life Drawing Kingston University

London.

Shows – 1991 – " The artists London" Museum of London .

1996 continues-various commissions for private clients, designers and

portait commissions.

Shows-

2001-2014 Medici Gallery London.

Various group shows.

Solo shows Medici gallery cork st

London:.2004,2005,2006,2007,2009,2010,2012,

Prizes:

1991 Daler Rowney prize for drawing.

2011 Finalist in the B.P Portrait Award ,

National Portrait Gallery London.

Television:

2014, Sky Portrait competition.

U.K

Publications:

2013:Artists and Ilustrators Magazine –

Solo Feature.

2014 Portrait feature.