I am taking a step back and working on some personal projects. More art coming soon! Stay tuned after the break.
Artist 3rd Version aka Ben Patterson is currently a Colorado based artist. In 2013 after receiving his BFA in painting, he has shown in art galleries around the world and also has done murals nationally. He is constantly evolving his work and style by continually blending the lines between high realism and lowbrow art, what he coins as highlow art.
My current work is about the masks we wear. As I worked through many different things in my own life (and still continually do) my artwork evolved as well. I kept animals as my subjects, they are a great vessel for self-reflection. Plus, who doesn't love them and do we really need to see any more paintings of people? I continued to push realism all the while adding in more drawings, cartoons and illustrative elements. I started to really enjoy the juxtaposition of these highly rendered animals surrounded by more graphic counterparts. Something real or authentic intertwined with something that is not, a simplistic rendition of an actual object, a disguise of sorts, a mask. These facades are weaved together by social expectations, diverse upbrings and cultural traditions. We do so to mask our real identity either for protection, to put on a strong front for others, or to just hide. Whatever the reason may be, we are all made up of the same things, all equal, regardless of what masks we decide to show to the world.
I have always been intrigued with opposites and contradictions (nature vs man, illustration vs realism, manic vs depression, etc) and this concept hits home for me. Sometimes you have to put on that mask, step outside and face the world.
Upcoming Shows:
2023, The Masks We Wear, Solo Exhibition at Arch Enemy Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Past Shows G:rouped by Gallery
Arch Enemy Arts - Philadelphia, PA
2022, Small Wonders 11, group exhibition
2022, Spectrum 3, group exhibition
2022, Predator and Prey, group exhibition
2022, Beyond Tides 2 group exhibition
2022, 10 Year Anniversary Exhibition group exhibition
2022, With Love Your Biggest Fan 4, group exhibition
2021, Small Wonders 10, group exhibition
2021, The Night, group exhibition
2021, Spectrum II, group exhibition
2021, AS Above, So Below, group exhibition
2020, Postcards from the Pandemic, group exhibition
2020, Small Wonders 9, group exhibition
2019, Feature Collection, mini-solo show
2019, Small Wonders 8, group exhibition
2018, Small Wonders 7, group exhibition
2017, Small Wonders 6, group exhibition
2017, Summer 2017 Open Call, group exhibition
Abend Gallery - Denver, CO
2022, Small Works, group exhibition
2022, Animalia, group exhibition
2022, 5x5 Show, group exhibition
2022, LA Art Show, group exhibition
2020, Small Works, group exhibition
2020, LA Art Show, group exhibition
2020, Mini Solo Show group exhibition
2020, 5x5 Project VII, group exhibition
2020, Catatonic, group exhibition
2019, 29th Annual Holiday Miniature Show, group exhibition
2019, Jackson Hole Art Fair, Abend Gallery, group exhibition
2019, Animalia, group exhibition
Antler Gallery - Portland OR
2022, Untamed Splendor, 10 year anniversary group exhibition
2021, Unnatural Histories X, group exhibition
2021, Poison Garden, group exhibition
2021, Brink, group exhibition
Gallery 1988 - Los Angeles, CA
2022, Crazy 4 Cult, group exhibition
2022, Idiot Box, group exhibition
2022, 90s Themed Show, group exhibition
2022, 30 Years Later, group exhibition
2018, Mattel, group exhibition
Select Past Exhibitions
2022, Beings, Solo show at Ironton Gallery, Denver, CO
2021, Acent, group show at Talon Gallery, Portland, OR
2021, Friendship, group show at Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2021, The Next Episode, group show at Chicago Truborn Gallery, Chicago, IL
2020, Do You Like Me Now, group show at Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2019, Trading Card III, group exhibition at Gristle Art Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2018, Trading Card II, group exhibition at Gristle Art Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2018, Killing Jar, group exhibition at Gristle Art Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2018, Phobos and Deimos, group exhibition at Gristle Art Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2018, Sweet Shop, themed group exhibition at Gristle Art Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2018, Bee Inspired, group exhibition at Hive Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2017, Familiar, group exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2017, Loved to Death, group show Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2017, Juxtapoz High Art Contest, Natural Cannabis Co., Top 40 Finalist
2016, Salon Show, group exhibition at The Gallery 4, Pittsburgh, PA
2015, Thoughts and Feelings, solo exhibition at The Gallery 4, Pittsburgh, PA
2015, Altered Reality, show at the Museum of Outdoor Arts, Englewood, CO
2014, Salon Show, group exhibition at The Gallery 4, Pittsburgh, PA
2013, Nation-State O, Center for Visual Art, BFA Thesis Exhibition, Denver, CO
2012, Faux Show, group exhibition at Museum of Outdoor Art, Englewood, CO