Contact
Mark Bennion
Vashon Island WA 98070
Tel. 206-669-6193
markbennion1@gmail.com
Representation
Traver Gallery
110 Union Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel. 206 587-6501
Contact: William Traver, Sara Traver
travergallery.com
About
Mark Bennion (b. 1948 Seattle, Washington) is a painter and sculptor who has shown his work across the United States, Canada and Europe since 1968.
Over the past 30 years he has developed a unique painting process, which he calls fresco, using oil, dry pigment on plaster and paper on a panel or canvas. Bennion sees his "frescoes" as a confluence of eastern and western techniques.
This process, which the artist began over 30 years ago, lends itself to many of his interests. Ancient walls and the decay of structures are juxtaposed with the markings, shapes, and the mythology from many cultures. There is a silent knowing in these markings. An ancient innocence that somehow becomes familiar. The work on plaster is painted and sanded, and painted and sanded over and over, sometimes in 4 or 5 layers but often up to 10 or 12 then adding shapes of simple geometry until the work is complete.
Bennion is also a sculptor exhibiting large scale geometric welded steel pieces and has numerous outdoor installations.
He is a practicing Nichiren Buddhist for most of his adult life.
He lives and works on Vashon Island, WA.