PIERMARQ* is pleased to present ‘The Big Hole,’ an exhibition of new work by American artist, Ben Crase. This is Crase’s second exhibition at PIERMARQ* in Sydney.
The exhibition takes its name from the painted saloon in Crase’s largest work to date. Serving cowboys, soldiers, businessmen, outlaws, miners and gamblers alike, the saloon represents a meeting place for all walks of life. The characters fitted in Crase’s signature pink hats represent the humour and optimism of those bound by a code of hospitality, fair play, loyalty and respect.
Working primarily with oil and oil stick, Crase masters the language of colour by layering materials to create rich expressive hues. Texture and skewed compositional elements evoke an emotional response from the viewer – one that may feel vaguely familiar while firmly rooted in the past.
Born in Butte, Montana, Ben Crase lives and works in San Diego, California. His first solo presentation at PIERMARQ* ‘Gentle Mountains,’ was a sell out show of intimate works of oil on paper and board. Crase will exhibit with PIERMARQ* at several notable international art fairs later this year.
