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~ Artist of the West ~
Born part Cherokee…Ben Wright is an Artist of the West residing in Sedona,
Arizona. Wright is less a history painter than a painter of historical
forces, specifically the beliefs and mysticism of the North American Indian
Tribes. He has been able to explore the depths of the ancient Plains
cultures both visually and psychologically. This knowledge has shown him the
new age of awareness and self-realization, the beliefs and guidance of the
old ways still apply…
Balance, connectivity, and spirituality are attributes that Ben Wright
strives for in this life and in his artwork. Again, being part Cherokee, Ben
draws from Native American ceremony, symbolism, and tradition to attain
them. Wright uses powerful imagery, juxtaposed with intensely bold colors,
in combination with a sophisticated glazing technique to achieve these
impressive creations.
Colors, numbers, and shapes play an integral and critical role in his work.
In particular, the medicine wheel and the four directions of the wind i.e.
north, south, east and west define aspects of self and teachings that are
vital to the Plains Indians’ traditions. For example, the colors red,
yellow, black and white in connection with the Medicine Wheel offers a
spiritual and symbolic meaning to his work. Each color symbolizes the
direction of the wind and the animal spirit whose attributes reflect its
inner being.
Wright’s collectors are many and include corporate, museum and private
collectors. Wright has been honored with serving as the first
artist-in-residence at the Frederic Remington Museum in Ogdensburg, New
York. Featured work has been published in Southwest Art Magazine, U.S. Art,
Art Talk, and Sedona Monthly.
Breathe deeply and inhale a part of the past and present through the eye and
soul of Ben Wright…
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