Specimen 00

Sky Benson

Interview by L. Valena

Via email, September 1-11, 2022

Can you please describe the prompt that you responded to?

The prompt I was given looked like a series of watercolor scientific illustrations of plants, rocks, seashells, etc.

What were your first impressions/thoughts?

I immediately saw my idea. I thought about how the “examination” of natural elements was very similar to what I do. I knew that if I took my themes and put them in this similar format, the questions I’m often asking metaphorically could be asked more literally, but hopefully in a playful way.

Where did you go from there?

I began drawing out elements on my tablet, while meditating on relationships and what the backstory of the piece was. I imagined I was an alien scientist with simultaneous rudimentary and sophomoric understandings of humans, but with profound thoughts on humanity. Once I had my silly thoughts figured out and my basic sketch, I drew it out and squiggled and cross hatched and stained and crumpled. Voila. Art.

This piece seems to point to the idea that individual emotions are localized to specific areas of the body. Can you say more about that?

These emotions are localized only in a metaphorical way. I think it's human nature to compartmentalize our feelings. It can make people feel as if they have more control over their feelings than they actually do, when in actuality, everything we feel is going on in our heads.

A lot of these emotions/feelings seem to be about love (tingling all over, weak in the knees), so the presence of shame is especially interesting. I love that the area marked 'shame' gives almost a halo effect, and that "further assessment" is required. Do you have thoughts you want to share about the relationship between shame and love? Or about shame in general? (I know that’s a big topic!)

Shame holds us back from growth and clouds our mind. Some folks are afraid of sexuality, love, and perceived judgements from outsiders, while simultaneously judging others. They don't realize that's what they're doing. Is it a halo, a future noose that slips down as the burden of shame gets heavier. Is it a negative aura, a cloud of doubt that fogs the mind? We don't need any of it.

Can you say more about how this piece relates to the rest of your work?

My work deals with these themes quite often, usually less on the nose in that there’s no labeling, but there are similar religious shapes and body forms used to bring about these themes and questions. A little blurb from my website bio puts it this way: Much of my fine artwork is aimed at destigmatizing sexuality and adult themes in western society by placing them under the veil of elementary art concepts. Basic human forms are often overlayed with abstract and geometric shapes and patterns in simple or primary color palettes.

Do you have any advice for another artist approaching this project for the first time?

Don’t try to shoehorn an existing idea. And don’t dismiss your first thought when looking at your prompt image. Make your piece, and step back afterwards and dissect how you got from A to C. I think the point of this project as I understand it is more about the dialogue of inspiration and less about the artist's actual piece. So be articulate and thoughtful.

Call Number: M56VA | M57VA.beSpe

Sky Benson is a self taught artist who evolves with every piece. Much of his art work is aimed at destigmatizing sexuality and adult themes in western society by placing them under the veil of elementary art concepts. Basic human forms are often overlayed with abstract and geometric shapes and patterns in simple or primary color pallets.