interview posted on london-art.net
“I am currently working toward a solo show in February 2011. This show focuses on my studio as a domestic environment, taking its starting point from the era of Dutch Genre paintings. I am interested in the confined environment that I work in and the close interaction with my wife who also inhabits the space. I feel this introspective view of our life breaks down the barriers I had built up in my work and gives a very honest account of my reality.”
A never ending fair in a place called Vanity // 2010
this pair of 80cm copper discs has been acquired by a London-based private collection
London Art visits The Bloomsbury Studio
“Artist Ben Ashton is holding an open studio during the Bloomsbury Festival this weekend. He has been preparing his upcoming show in Simon Oldfield Gallery’s Bloomsbury Studio and you can visit it this weekend to learn about all his interesting ideas and gallery mock-up installations.”
Is This Art?
A fantastic article in The Sunday Sun on “brazen” Ben Ashton’s 2004 performance while at Newcastle University.
Best quotes include,
“The Church has always used the term self abuse for masturbation. I’d say it was self abuse, certainly in front of all these people.”
and
“I don’t really want to watch anybody masturbating, never mind somebody in a box.”
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A North art student raised eyebrows when he exposed his latest work, indulging in a sex act in front of an audience.
Brazen Ben Ashton gave the crowd an eyeful during the 10-minute display.
The 20-year-old aspiring artist also video-recorded the event to capture the reaction of the watching public on tape.
And he had to turn away Angel of the North sculpture Antony Gormley as there wasn’t enough room for him in the packed venue.
Ben said: “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
read the rest of the article below the cut
