We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ben Zask. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ben below.

Ben, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Through observation and experience I learned my craft. I enjoy seeing great assemblage work in galleries and museums, but I also observe how the pieces of the work are held together. Screws, nails, wire, thread, dowels, glue… sometimes hidden, sometimes being part of the piece. Observation of other’s work has helped me learn the craft.

Putting the ideas from my observations into hands on application is the other important step for learning the craft. I am currently working on a series titled “Metal and Wood” because those are the materials that I work with. I like the way they look together and they join together in strong bonds. The pieces not only need to look good together but also be able to be put together easily.

The finished work always looks better when I don’t have to struggle putting the pieces together. If it does become a struggle, I usually look for a different combination or a different way of joining them. Putting pieces together well is a craft and there are many ways to do it. Enjoying the process helps to insure that the results will be rewarding.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an assemblage artist. I mostly use old wood or metal materials that have aged in an interesting way. I use these once beautiful and or functional items as my medium for my artwork. I enjoy finding the items and the challenge of ‘giving them a new life’ .

I live in the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, my property has moved over 300 feet since the slide began in 1956 and it’s still moving. I fix and maintain my house and studios with a similar mindset as I do my artwork. For the foundations, I purchase used H beams and I beams from scrap metal yards. I always look for used bricks, timber, sinks… that I can use. These used, ready to be discarded materials are useful and beautiful.

Knowing what I enjoy doing at this stage of my life, I may have chosen engineering as my career. I tend to enjoy finding solutions to problems.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I take great pleasure when collectors and artists include my work into their collection. I saw my piece next to a Milton Avery oil painting and I am still inspired by it.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I remember hearing negative criticism about assemblage art when first started showing my work. I didn’t like it but I kept doing it. Now, almost two decades later it’s become a popular and accepted art form. I recently participated in a group show whose title was ASSEMBLAGISM.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: BENZASK