Life on Venus II | The Human, Timed Auction

Louise Benton’s work explores representations of the female figure, particularly within modern life. She seeks to explore collective experiences unique to femininity, often exploring subjects which carry a stigma of shame. Her body of work serves to locate female private space, and how this is sexualised under society’s gaze.

She draws on themes of Catholicism and antiquity as a means to convey more modern experiences. Greek urns become canvases for stories of tinder dates or sex toys, while the confessional booth is rendered in porn star pink rather than demure mahogany. Benton works initially in gouache and ink, but will then move these ideas further into ceramic or digital mediums, using her iPad to explore different processes.

Benton completed a foundation diploma in Fine Art at the University for the Creative Arts and holds an MA History of Art from the University of Edinburgh. She has recently exhibited at Arts Hub, Deptford with Katherine Bailey, and has an upcoming solo show at Studio 1.1, Shoreditch. She works as an artist and illustrator, practicing from her studio in Hackney.