Altamira Fine Art in Jackson Hole, WY is pleased to present a new exhibition for Ben Steele, July 16-30, 2024.

Please join us for the Artist Reception Thursday, July 18th from 5-8pm and meet the artist.

"I like to take iconic imagery and put it in a different context or blend the very familiar with the lesser known. To me, that variety encapsulates the limitless possibilities of life, and more especially, life here in the West.” -Ben Steele

Off Trail

Ever exploring new ideas and avenues of inspiration for subject matter, Ben Steele celebrates the curiosity and meandering spirit that leads to new discoveries in Off Trail.

“One of my favorite parts of the process is researching the setup of each piece. It's so enjoyable when I'm surprised by ideas, works of art, or great locations I've never stumbled upon; because you start to feel like you've seen everything, especially when it's part of your job to be actively looking.”, the artist says. “Those little moments of surprise are pretty fulfilling. When I discover a work of art by a well-known artist that I don't remember ever seeing or at least never stopped to admire, it's a little bit of a rebirth.”

Because creating art has been Steele’s profession for over two decades, it has become the language he knows how to speak the most fluently. “Getting up every day to go to the studio feels like a standard job routine. But it still brings me joy and there are very few days when I don't feel motivated to be there. That's what motivates me the most; arriving to my work sanctuary and still finding I have things to say.”

Ben Steele paints in conversation with his classical training, allowing him to respond to modern life through the tropes and techniques of the Old Masters. Ever experimenting with subject matter and composition, he allows the realism of trompe l’oeil to layer with Pop retorts and contemporary comebacks. Lively dialogue ensues in the presence of his paintings. Whether it is Vermeer and Lichtenstein or hard candies and Wild West figurines, they can share the same dialogic space. In his paintings and his practice, personality pervades.

Pre-sales available. Contact the gallery for details, (307) 739-4700, connect@altamiraart.com.

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