Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Long

Hi Benjamin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

I’m a visual artist and have been making, exhibiting, and selling my work for a long time now.
Studied art at Moravian University (formerly College) in Bethlehem, PA. Since 1991 I’ve been based in Philadelphia.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Anyone trying to make it in the arts has to accept that it’ll be a challenge. Contemporary society doesn’t particularly place a high value on culture, nor does it really teach it. Only a few out of many will get the recognition and reward to really succeed. Schools have been churning out art graduates for some time so the competition for the limited pieces of pie is intense. Teaching can be a way to support your art-making, but if you have no aptitude for it – as I do not – then that is a different kind of challenge. Also, galleries come and go. Finding venues for the work can be tough. Presenting online is useful, and really expands the potential audience, but not an ideal alternative to seeing art in person.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

My own work is based on a personal symbolism / iconography. Recognizable imagery presented in an unfamiliar way. Mystery (and the unexplained) is an important element because that is what will draw you back to a work of art.

My hope is that if it’s interesting to me, it’ll be interesting to others; if the aesthetics satisfy me, they will satisfy others. But aesthetics and interest vary wildly amongst humans, and my audience has always been rather narrow. Over the years I’ve thought about trying to do abstract paintings, which have the advantage (seemingly) of no obvious content outside of themselves. And I’ve thought about representational work in which things are presented as they appear (more or less), with no obvious mystery. Both have their appeal, but I’ve never been able to go fully in either of these directions, although some of my previous work could be considered leaning one way or the other on occasion. Hopefully, what I’m known for is having a unique take on things.

In the end, I tend to judge my own work on its aesthetics first and foremost… which is how I view other artists’ work too.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?

I was born in Pennsylvania, but shortly after, my family moved to Michigan, and then about five years later, moved to Virginia, and then about five years later, moved back to PA. I had dreams of being a cartoonist for a while, and I guess some of that has emerged in my work, especially in the more recent ones.

My father worked as a protestant pastor, so the church was a big part of my life growing up, and I was always conscious of being in a position where my actions would reflect on the church and my family. Who can say for sure how all the moving and being the preacher’s kid affected me? It must have somehow. I’ve never explored therapy but I guess making art can be a useful substitute.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.benjaminlong.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snowman_on_the_moon/