Educated at Glasgow School of Art and Byam Shaw School of Art from 1998-2001, contemporary artist Tim Benson has recently received recognition with his election as a full member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. He is a practiced portrait artist and not only creates a distinguishable representation of a sitter but moreover evokes the subject’s character and mood. He ultimately leaves the viewer questioning the larger context, as presented in the surroundings and settings of pieces.
“I strive to make an image
that offers more than simple representation –
something with an emotive quality
that captures the viewer’s imagination.”
Tim Benson
Tim Benson regularly exhibits in solo and group exhibitions around the UK. He displays fine art portraits that stand on their own as collectible works of art and accordingly has established a large following and collector base. In addition to his fine art pieces, he accepts formal portrait and figurative commissions in oil or charcoal.
Tim is based at The Chocolate Factory studios in North London. He regularly invites sitters to the studio and also travels to subjects’ own environments to present individuals in their own private settings.
2012
- MARCH
Small Paintings – Island Fine Arts - JANUARY
Group Show – Highgate Contemporary Art
2012
- Small Paintings – Island Fine Arts
2008
- East Anglian Landscapes – Highgate Fine Art
2007
- British Landscapes – Rafael Valls, Mayfair
2006
- Aspects of the Subcontinent – Highgate Fine Art
2003
- British Skyscapes – Lauderdale House
2011
- Annual Exhibition – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
- 'Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Competition', Kings Place Gallery, Kings Place, London.
- Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead Heath – Highgate Contemporary Art
- Summer Exhibition – Picturecraft Gallery, Holt, Norfolk
- Summer Miscellany – Highgate Contemporary Art
- Two Artist show – Highgate Contemporary Art
- Annual Exhibition – Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mall Galleries
- Breath of Fresh Air – Byard Art, Cambridge
2010
- Annual Exhibition – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
- Two Artists – Hay Hill Gallery, Cork Street
- Two Artists – Island Fine Arts, Isle of Wight
- Group Show – Highgate Contemporary Art
- Cambridge Art Fair – Enid Lawson Gallery, Marylebone
- Summer Show – Highgate Contemporary Art
- Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park – Island Fine Arts and Enid Lawson Gallery
2009
- Annual Exhibition – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
- Three Artists: Landscapes – Island Fine Arts
- Changing Hang – Enid Lawson Gallery, Marylebone
- Affordable Art Fair, Bristol – Enid Lawson Gallery
- Cambridge Art Fair – Enid Lawson Gallery
- Summer Show – Highgate Fine Art
- Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park – Enid Lawson Gallery and Island Fine Arts
- Harrogate Art Fair – Enid Lawson Gallery
- Edinburgh Art Fair – Enid Lawson Gallery
2008
- Annual Exhibition – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
- Antiques for the Future –Norman Adams, Knightsbridge
- British Antique Dealers' Association fair, Chelsea
- Summer show – Highgate Fine Art
- Summer show – Island Fine Arts, Isle of Wight
- Summer landscapes – Thompson's, Aldeburgh
- Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park – Island Fine Arts
- Noel Noel – Highgate Fine Art Gallery
2007
- Annual Exhibition – Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mall Galleries
- Annual Exhibition – Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
- Cultural Expo – Pakistan High Commission, London
- Summer show – Highgate Fine Art
Charity Exhibition – The Canterbury Oast Trust - Noel Noel – Highgate Fine Art
2006
- Annual Exhibition – Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mall Galleries
Noel Noel – Highgate Fine Art
2005
- Noel Noel – Highgate Fine Art
2004
- Annual Exhibition – Thompson's City,
- New Landscapes – Thompson's City
Noel Noel – Highgate Fine Art
2003
- Annual Exhibition – Thompson's City
- Three New Artists – CCA Galleries, Mayfair
- Changing Hang – Thompson's City
Commission – Le Meridien Hotel, London - Group Exhibition – Karen Taylor Gallery, Twickenham
- September Show – Thompson's Marylebone
- Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park – Thompson's
- Christmas Show – Catto Gallery, Hampstead
2002
- Past Masters – Stroud House Gallery, Gloucestershire
- Fresh Art – Business Design Centre, Islington
- Group Exhibition – Fairfax Gallery, Tunbridge-Wells
- Group Exhibition – Moreton Contemporary, Pimlico
2001
- Braving the Elements – Vertigo Gallery, Hoxton
Awards
2011
- Elected Full member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters
- Elected Associate of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters
2010
- Second prize – Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award, Annual Exhibition, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
2004
- Third prize, Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award, Annual Exhibition, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
Notable Sitters
2011
- Sir Harry Solomon
- Dr Edward Winters
- Brian Cox CBE
2010
- Andrew James VPRP
2008
- Michael Palin CBE
Media & Press
2011
- OCTOBER
Guest Columnist – The Artist magazine - JULY
DVD: Dynamic portraits in Oil with Tim Benson AROI – TownHouse Films
2010 – present
- Portraiture tutor at Hampstead School of Art
Private tutor, Oil Painting
2007 – present
- Portraiture tutor, Heatherley School of Fine Art, Chelsea
