Benjamin, Anthony (1931-2002)
3 works
Born in Hampshire, he studied engineering at the Regent Street Polytechnic. Having studied drawing at Leger?s Studio in Paris, arrived in St Ives in 1955. It is said that he split his time between flower growing and landscape painting. Benjamin took over the cottage and land previously owned by Sven Berlin.
1958-59 he was away on a French Government Fellowship, studying printmaking with S W Hayter at Studio 17. The same year Benjamin was part of ?Twenty Cornish Artists?, sponsored by the Falmouth Art Group at the Polytechnic Gallery, shared with Newlyn Art Gallery and Penwith Gallery in St Ives.
In 1960 Benjamin was selected as part of the ?Painters in Cornwall 1960? at Newlyn Art Gallery. Following the redesign at the Fore Street Gallery in St Ives and the Lower Gallery at Newlyn in 1962; he was offered one of the first one-man shows there.
Financial pressures forced him to leave Cornwall, working from London and accepted teaching posts in Canada and the USA. Benjamin went on to hold a number of solo-shows, becoming increasingly recognised and respected.
Benjamin returned to London in 1973, settling with his Canadian partner and son in Norfolk where he continued to work till his death.
