Ben Benedict: Variations in Landscape – Exhibition & Book Launch

Ben Benedict, Six by Six (installation view), 2024, acrylic on assembled boards, 80w x 64h x 3d inches.

King Heritage & Cultural Centre and London Fine Artist Ben Benedict present Variations in Landscape: An Exhibition and Book Launch

July 15 – 25, 2026
Opening Reception & Book Launch: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 1 – 4pm
King Heritage & Cultural Centre, King City

Art Catalogue
Variations in Landscape, 2025. Published by Ben Benedict & Benedict Creative Communications. London, ON. ISBN 978-1-0697976-0-5

King Heritage & Cultural Centre and London fine artist Ben Benedict present a critical exploration of the landscape genre. Benedict draws upon the history of art making in Southwestern Ontario as a bricoleur (mixed media artist) working in the London Regionalist tradition. Artworks range from small, intimate scenes to large masterworks. The exhibit is accompanied by a book launch featuring a critical essay, in which Benedict draws a historical line from Homer Watson (1855–1936), through the Group of Seven, to the London Regionalists, and finally inserts his efforts into this lineage of original Ontario artists.

The book is a 164-page, limited edition of 500: an art catalogue of the original July 2024 exhibit at the Satellite Project Space in London, Ontario. It features acknowledgements; a land acknowledgement; an introduction by Dr. Madeline Lennon, Professor Emerita, Visual Arts Department, Western University; and a critical essay by London fine artist Ben Benedict—Variations in Landscape: An Artist’s Journey. It also includes 19 copyrighted images from earlier regionalists, 47 original exhibition artworks, a curriculum vitae, and a bibliography, along with an original work of art reflective of Benedict’s 30+ year career as a professional writer and visual artist.

Ben Benedict, Bridge to Nowhere, 2024, acrylic, found metal, and astroturf on wood, 24w x 31h x 3d inches

“My artistry is constructed from a wide range of materials,” says Benedict, “and draws upon my experiences and memory, as well as the vast history of art-making. My focus is on the process of exploring, and in this case, those efforts are focused on landscape, following in the footsteps of other regionalist artists.”

From the book: “My goal is that [the artworks] can be experienced ‘conceptually, kinetically, and visually’ in ‘dynamic modernist languages’ and that they appear ‘authentically ecological.’ That these images are more than ‘just a place on the map.’ They are authentically produced as a result of ‘self-reflection and critique’ from ‘personal and local experiences‘ for the most part, and are a ‘phenomenon’ and ‘interesting objects‘ in themselves. Within this journey there is growth also, as a person, an artist, and in the dialogue moving from images of the land to engaging critically with landscape’s ideological and semiotic construction.” (page 30)

In 2026, Ben Benedict is releasing Variations in Landscape (Art Catalogue, ISBN 978-1-0697976-0-5) as part of a touring exhibition at the Homer Watson House & Gallery, Kitchener (Completed May 26 – July 12); King Heritage & Cultural Centre, King City (July 15 – 25); and the TAP Centre for Creativity, London, (September 1 – 12, 2026).

Ben Benedict, Field and Forest, 2024, acrylic on collaged paper, 24w x 18h inches

About the Artist

Ben Benedict is a recognized independent professional visual artist, curator, writer, cultural leader, and social justice activist in the London area, with a growing career. As a bricoleur (mixed-media artist) working in the London Regionalist tradition, his artistry, experiences, and creativity are informed by memory, object relations theories, semiotics, and structural linguistics, including the use of deconstructed materials and narratives.

In 2020, he received Research & Creation Grant funding from the Canada Council for the Arts for his solo exhibition, Faggot & Other LGBTQ2+ Stories, and was awarded the Canada Pride Citation from the Chief of Defence, National Defence Canada for his sacrifice and service to Canada, making him a decorated veteran. Reflective of these efforts, Benedict was the keynote speaker at Forest City Gallery’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2023. He has also received London Arts Council and Exhibition Assistance grants from the Ontario Arts Council. Visit BenBenedict.ca for details and additional images.

Quotes

“I admire how hard you work to get all your images licensed and of top quality.”
– Marcia Lea, Executive Director, COVA-DAAV (Copyright Visual Arts)

“I finally had the time to read your wonderful essay. It’s so comprehensive and illuminates the Regionalists in the context of landscape so well. It’s full of tidbits I didn’t know and it was a pleasure to learn from you through this paper!”
– Esther Vincent, daughter and copyright holder for Bernice Vincent

Ben Benedict, Targeted Landscape, acrylic on paper, 22w x 30h inches

Full Exhibition and Book Launch Details:

Homer Watson House & Gallery, Kitchener, ON
Completed May 26 – July 12, 2026

King Heritage & Cultural Centre, King City, ON
July 15 – 25, 2026
Opening Reception: July 18, 2026, 1pm – 4pm

Tap Centre for Creativity, London, ON
September 1 – 12, 2026
Opening Reception: September 3, 2026, 6 – 9pm

For more information and media inquiries contact:
Ben Benedict, BFA, M. Comm. (Artist)
Benedict Creative Communications
519-432-5089
info@bcreative.ca
BenBenedict.ca

Liza Mallyon, Coordinator, Collections & Exhibitions
King Heritage & Cultural Centre
905-833-2331
lmallyon@king.ca

King Heritage & Cultural Centre
2920 King Road
King City, ON L7B 1L6
www.kingheritageandculture.ca

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm