Benjy Davies

Gallipolis, OH

benjydavies@gmail.com
www.luckymanpress.com/art

Education

2000  MFAOhio University
1995  BFA The Ohio State University 

Solo Exhibitions

2014  Birke Gallery
2004  Old Dominion University Gallery
2003  Zygote Press

Group Exhibitions

2015  The Art Store
2011  Bradley International Heuser Art Center
2003  International Print Center (New York, NY)

Selected Collections

Bob Evans Farms Corporate Headquarters (New Albany, OH)
New Orleans Museum of Art Print Collection
City of Vaasa, Finland

Artist Statement

This piece is my reaction to the prompt of being asked to create an artwork using lithography (which is a “planographic” or flat surface printing technique) on a fragile three-dimensional object. My initial attempts at printing from a flexible plate were not successful, due to the mottled surface of the egg, which left little dimples in the image where ink would not stick. I resolved this problem by printing in the traditional manner on lightweight paper using a litho press, then adhering the paper to the surface of the egg. This process created wrinkles as the two dimensional sheet was forced to conform to the three-dimensional surface. Rather than remove the wrinkles, I applied a second layer of imagery, then washes of oil paint, layered with varnish and sanding to create a weathered, distressed surface reminiscent of fossils and sedimentary rock. 

The image is that of the skeletal remains of the dinosaur “Archaeopteryx Lithographica”. This creature was discovered in lithographic limestone (hence the name), and represents the link between dinosaurs and modern birds. The “nest” is made of fragments of artist-grade lithographic limestone. 

I was unable to resist the connection between lithography and this enormous egg. Although Archaeopteryx was likely hatched from a much smaller egg, as the adult animal was only about the size of a chicken, I wanted to react to original purpose and structure of the egg, rather than just use it as a shape on which to apply some image. The completed piece is composed of equal parts painting, sculpture, lithography and imagination.