This series of work marks a serious departure for Benjamin Staker as a person and artist. They are straightforward and expressive gouache on paper, and they are about the miniature god that hides in the trees and the big blue sky. Centered around the figure of his lover, Staker’s subject matter, while at first glance may appear to be queer bodies, transcends the physical container to express an ineffable experience of freedom and connectivity. Little pieces with big feelings, Staker rejects the need for a complicated composition or convoluted justifications in favor of just plain and simple existence.
Benjamin Staker, "The words, still fresh on my tongue Feel strange and clunky But much like freedom", Gouache on Stonehenge hot press, 16 x 12 inches, 2026
Benjamin Staker, "Hidden skin Prickles At the thought of you", Gouache on Stonehenge hot press, 16 x 12 inches, 2026
Benjamin Staker, "There was no one thing Slowly And then, like a sudden inhale", Gouache on Stonehenge hot press, 16 x 12 inches, 2026
Benjamin Staker, "Loving you is like Loving the big bang Or the origin of the world", Gouache on Stonehenge hot press, 12 x 16 inches, 2026
Benjamin Staker, "Sun dappled back Sweat on your upper lip Which I lick away The words whispered", Gouache on Stonehenge hot press, 12 x 16 inches, 2026
Benjamin Staker, "I used to think Love was something wild But this freedom can also fit In the pocket of my jeans", Gouache on Stonehenge hot press, 16 x 12 inches, 2026
Benjamin Staker is a Pacific North-West born and raised artist that has previously lived and worked in New York City. Currently he is looking forward to spending some time in east Asia and making work out of his suitcase. With a BA in art history from the University of Washington and an MFA in painting from the New York Academy of Art, Staker was a post-grad fellow at NYAA and has exhibited with CHUBB at Miami Art Basel, had a solo presentation at The Empty Circle in Manhattan and previously contributed to a two person show “Abstracted Vistas” with Auxier-Kline.