Ben Venom: Precious object hanging
- Category Artist Interview
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Ben Venom graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2007 with a Master of Fine Arts degree. His work has been shown both nationally and internationally including the Levi Strauss Museum, Jonathan LeVine Gallery, Charlotte Fogh Gallery and the Craft and Folk Museum to name but few. Recently he was the artist in residence at San Francisco’s de Young Museum and is currently visiting faculty at the San Francisco Art Institute.
In this interview Ben tells us why he became interested in quilting as an art form and how his designs differ the expected. We learn about his influences, both past and present, and the unique techniques he’s developed to create his contemporary and off beat body of work.
Ben Venom, Fly like an Eagle Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric 33” x 33” 2014
A collection of memories
TextileArtist.org: What initially attracted you to textiles as a medium?
Ben Venom: Textiles has allowed to push my art past just being a precious object hanging on the wall to becoming the perfect fusion of Art, Fashion, and especially Function. By stitching donated fabrics into a unified piece the quilts are able to display a multitude of personal histories. Everyone’s unexplained stain, tear, or rip will be included and when displayed visitors will be able to see a piece of themselves woven into this larger history. A collection of memories, dreams, and past experiences will be on view in the form of a functional quilt.
And, more specifically, how was your imagination captured by Quilts?
The work I do today was directly inspired by the quilts of Gee’s Bend exhibition I saw at the de Young Museum back in 2006. These quilts are made from used clothing in and around the rural community of Gees’ Bend. I was immediately drawn to the designs, use of materials, and skill by these very talented women living in a very rural part of Alabama. They primarily used recycled denim, fabric, and scraps from family clothing. I like the idea of up cycling or re-use…Nothing is thrown away!
Ben Venom, Heaven and Hell Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric 93” x 47” 2015
What or who were your early influences?
My early influences come from the puck rock, heavy metal, and skateboard community. Looking at band flyers and skateboard deck designs lead me to draw and paint while in high school.
What was your route to becoming an artist?
I hold a B.F.A. from Georgia State University and a M.F.A. from the San Francisco Art Institute where I am currently visiting faculty.
Ben Venom, Open Wide Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric 27” x 37” 2015
Tell us a bit about your chosen techniques.
The majority of my work is appliqued onto the top layer then quilted using a machine stitch with my sewing machine. The designs are hand drawn then cut and sewn together in my studio. I do all the work entirely myself on a Juki f-600.
Ben Venom, Turn Up The Night Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric 85” x 107” 2012
A new wave of craft
How would you describe your work and where do you think it fits within the sphere of contemporary art?
In one word my work can be described as a COLLISION between fine art, craft, and the fringes of society. Imagery found in vintage tattoos, the occult, and motorcycle gangs are stitched together with recycled materials using techniques usually relegated to your Grandmothers sewing circle.
I see a new wave of craft within the fine art world where artists are using many hand-made techniques to construct their work. The artist’s hand has shown up again and is very evident within this wave. My art fits well within this new contemporary art sphere alongside a great many talented artists.
Ben Venom, Keep Watch 2 Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric Collaboration w/ MISHKA 24” x 24” 2015
Make good art
Do you use a sketchbook? If not, what preparatory work do you do?
Yes, I use a sketchbook to work out ideas and brainstorm designs. It’s basically a lot of lists and various versions of a design drawn out page after page.
Ben Venom, Once Bitten Twice Shy Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric 43” x 69” 2015
Ben Venom, King for a Day Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric 45” x 57” 2015
Tell us about your process from conception to conclusion.
Everything I do begins with some amount of research into a particular topic or interest. I will come up with a general idea in my sketchbook by taking notes and doing some quick drawings to work out my idea. From there I move the design into Photoshop or Illustrator and refine the design to its final size.
The next step involves cutting all the shirts/denim/leather into pre-determined shapes that fit into the overall design much like a puzzle.
Finally, I sew all the pieces together with the quilting stitch that holds all 3 layers of the quilt together.
Ben Venom, I am the Night Rider Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric 58” x 47” 2015
What environment do you like to work in?
My studio is located in the back part of my wife and I’s apartment. I enjoy working from home because it allows me to work whenever and how long I want. Always working!
What currently inspires you?
Lately I’ve really been into looking through old typeface and tapestry books.
Ben Venom, Ghost Wolf Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric 57” x 15” 2015
Who have been your major influences and why?
Lari Pittman, Sara Rahbar, Banks Violette, Dennis McNett, AJ Fosik, Kevin Taylor, Lucien Shapiro, Megan Gorham, Erin Riley, Richard Colman, Lisa Anne Auerbach, etc. All of their work possesses a very unique and original quality to crosses many mediums.
Telling a distinct story
Tell us about a piece of your work that holds particularly fond memories and why?
This first quilt I made contained my collection of Heavy Metal band shirts. For years I had amassed a large pile of torn up and threadbare band shirts that I could never throw away. It’s not cool when your Slayer shirt turns to mesh. Ha!
Ben Venom, White Owl Social Club Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric 45” x 38” 2016
How has your work developed since you began and how do you see it evolving in the future?
My work has progressed to include all types of material including donated/recycled fabric, denim, and leather. I see it moving towards larger detailed tapestry like designs that tell a very distinct story to the viewer.
Ben Venom, Die Last Jean Jacket with Recycled Fabric 20” x 28” 2015
What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
In order to succeed in life, you need to do 2 of 3 things:
Make good art….duh!
Be on time!
Be easy to work with…always
Can you recommend 3 or 4 books for textile artists?
Fiber Sculpture 1960-Present, Homefront & Battlefield: Quilts & Context in the Civil War, Gee’s Bend: Architecture of the Quilts, and the Ultimate Guide to Art Quilting.
What other resources do you use? Blogs, websites, magazines etc.
Artforum, Art in America, Juxtapoz, and the New Yorker to name a few.
Ben Venom, Panther Party Jean Jacket with Recycled Fabric 20” x 28” 2016
What piece of equipment or tool could you not live without?
Do you give talks or run workshops or classes? If so where can readers find information about these?
Yes…I have given numerous artist lectures all around the world and have taught a few workshops from time to time. Information can be found by getting on my email list: ben@benvenom.com
Ben Venom, Wherever I May Roam Hand-made Quilt with Recycled Fabric 55” x 55” 2013
Where can readers see your work this year?
Constructed Communication exhibition opens April 7 at the Museum of Craft and Design
Collaboration with Creature Skateboard deck release Spring 2016
EMA Show via Hellion Gallery will be exhibited in Paris, Tokyo, and Portland
West Coast Craft is June 11-12 in San Francisco, CA
Weave Wars is September 23 at the Indianapolis Art Center
Ben Venom in Kimball Gallery for Artist in Residency de Young Museum / 2015
Photo by: Randy Dodson
For more information visit: www.benvenom.com, www.maxim.com and ww2.kqed.org
Let us know what your favourite aspect of the artist’s work is by leaving a comment below.
LOVE this work, so far removed from Grandma’s versions of fabric art, and stands on its own. Punk rock roots mixed with DIY energy, really striking results.
This is the perfect and freshest cross over I have come across in the quilter´s world – love his attitude and most of all his works!!
It’s too bad the video wasn’t captioned for the Deaf. I would have truly liked knowing what was said. Other than that, the work of arts he creates its indeed unique! I do not care for the traditional style quilts. It’s obvious he puts in a lot of thoughts into his artworks!
While in high school, Ben (Pope HS) & my son (John Archer, Walton HS), skateboarded together in Marietta, GA. And, they shared the same music tastes. I’m John’s mother & a prolific, mostly “traditional” quilter. My son told me about Ben and I do admire his artistry which I’ve shared with my guild friends. Congratulations on your amazing journey, Ben.