Ben Crase: Gentle Mountains

22 August - 6 September 2022
Born in Butte, Montana, Crase's figurative works depict characters and scenes reminiscent of the American west in the 19th century imbued with a sense of optimism. In reference to the title of this series, the artist writes "I like to think of these guys as being from the mountains and having gentle souls."

The exhibition is comprised of 22 works on paper, primarily in oil, oil stick and charcoal. The drawings, sketches and studies intimately capture the energy and essence of Crase's work, with quirky characters and skewed compositional elements that evoke an emotional response from the viewer – one that may feel vaguely familiar while firmly rooted in the past.