BEN STEELE
JANUARY 5 - 19, 2024
Opening reception:  Friday, Jan 5, 4 - 7 pm

Art Lovers are cordially invited to an opening reception for Ben Steele's solo exhibition at CODA Gallery on Friday, January 5, 4-7 pm, during El Paseo's monthly First Friday Art Walk. The exhibition continues through January 19.

An art history buff, Ben Steele imbues in his paintings tongue-in-cheek references to predecessors such as Leonardo da Vinci, Edgar Degas, Marc Chagall, and Jeff Koons. On many occasions, he has melded famed artists — Georges Seurat, Georgia O’Keefe, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, et al. — with crayons.

He describes his work as “realist or representational oil paintings, usually with a theme" [in addition to crayons, he favors the Etch-a-Sketch and gumball machine]. The subject matter may vary greatly, but it weaves in history and pop culture.” When asked to name his favorite artist, Ben usually says Johannes Vermeer. But (and undoubtedly more consistent with his own artistic ethos), he notes, “It’s somewhere between Vermeer and [Andy] Warhol.” “I love sampling through the past and combining things,” Ben says. “It’s like a buffet: You want to eat some of everything even if one thing is not your favorite."

Ben's work resides in several notable collections, such as The Tom and Mary James/Raymond James Financial Art Collection, Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, Fred Couples, the San Francisco Giants’ executive offices, as well as in multiple Delta Airline Sky Club lounges throughout the United States.

During the reception, enjoy a wine bar serving organic wines and other beverages which benefits Angel View, a Coachella Valley nonprofit serving children and adults with disabilities. A percentage of the evening’s art sales will be donated to support Angel View, which was established in 1954 on a natural hot mineral water spring in Desert Hot Springs CA.