ABOUT
BIO.
Benjamin Cunningham is an artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, currently working and residing in Washington, DC. His work explores the interplay between religion, queer narratives, and American commercialism through the construction of large-scale, pop-influenced paintings. Utilizing signage and print media in various states of degradation, he intends to present work that references a broad and conceptual understanding of American nostalgia while revitalizing historical narratives for contemporary audiences. Consistent use of textual elements, saturated colors, and matte surfaces stylistically defines his machine-like attempt to blur the distinction between painting and print.
THE PAINTINGS.
One may paint for years and never truly feel like a painter. I have had such an identity struggle, for my work does not represent the conventional standards set for a paradigm of realism. Instead, saturated color palettes, bold textual graphics, and inspiration from multitudes of historical media define my existence as a contemporary painter. My fascination with history has significantly influenced my work, as I need to reflect on the past to make comments on the future. Producing large-scale painterly collages of mid-twentieth-century-American media has allowed my work to propose contemporary narratives through the artistic interpretation of historical American culture.
My artistic perspective extends beyond popular culture and personal experiences; for example, Denunciation of the Shepherd was constructed after coming to the point of conscious reflection on my upbringing in a religion that did not accept my honest existence. Historically synonymous with the Catholic Church, the altarpiece acts as a vessel for visually communicating perspective through the curation of biblical scripture. The organization of the works within the form of the altar conveys the prevalence of biblical irony. Visuals of tragedy borne by the hand of god are placed under the arched rainbow, symbolic of his promise to establish a covenant of peaceful relations.
The international pop art movement and artists akin to Sergio Lombardo and Andy Warhol have influenced the creative process employed in creating my artwork. In an artistic context, expressive color and historical graphics can be utilized as a form of communication to comment on current topics within international media. Exploring the power of visual communication through artistic expression and historical analysis is what drives my creative existence.
Moving forward, I am interested in experimenting with hybridizing pop and abstract expressionist styles in my artistic process while utilizing a consistent parallel between contemporary narratives and historical context. Moreover, my work intends to utilize commercial signage as a method to explore the evolving social dynamics of small towns throughout Midwestern America.
CURRICULUM VITAE.
[Education]
George Washington University — Bachelor of Arts: Fine Arts — 2026
George Washington University — Bachelor of Arts: Political Science — 2026
[Exhibitions]
2025 The Delaplaine Arts Center “Emerging Perspectives” Frederick, MD. USA
2024 New York Academy of Art “Vivid Moments” New York, NY. USA
2024 Site:Brooklyn Gallery “Faces and Figure Virtual Exhibition” New York, NY. USA
2024 Touchstone Gallery “figure” Washington, D.C. USA
2023 The Corcoran School of Art and Design “From Gold to Golden” Washington, D.C. USA
2023 The Corcoran School of Art and Design “next NEXT_” Washington, D.C. USA
2023 The George Washington University Textile Museum “Wiener Werkstätte: Nature to Abstraction” Washington, D.C. USA
2023 The Trolley Barn Gallery “Is It Me?” Poughkeepsie, NY. USA
2023 The Artists Gallery (TAG) “Being Seen” Frederick, MD. USA
2022 HMVC Gallery “2022 Virtual Exhibition Show” New York City, NY. USA
2022 Montgomery County Community College Fine Arts Gallery “Touch the Future” Blue Bell, PA. USA
2022 Montgomery County Community College Pottstown Gallery “Tri-County Art Exhibition” Pottstown, PA. USA
[Curation]
2025 The Evelyn Burrow Museum, “We Know Who They Are… (WKWTA)” Cullman, AL. USA
2024 Gallery 102 at The George Washington University “We Know Who They Are… (WKWTA)” Washington, DC. USA
[Residencies and Awards]
2024 Public Service Grant Commission, The Nashman Center of Civic Engagement and Public Service, Washington, DC.
2024 Luther Rice Undergraduate Fellowship, The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Washington, DC.
2024 Summer Undergraduate Residency Program, New York Academy of Art, New York City, NY.
2023 International Artist Residency, Rural Residency for Contemporary Arts, Brescia, Italy
2022 Finalist in the 7th Edition of the Boynes International Emerging Artist Award
[Publications]
2024 Focus Ukraine Blog—Kennan Institute—Woodrow Wilson Center, “Art Defending the Right of Ukrainians…,” Blaire A. Ruble
2024 Voice of America, “An American student organized an exhibition…,” Iryna Shynkarenko
2024 Conflicted Art, “We Know Who They Are: Narratives and Artwork from the Invasion of Ukraine”
2023 Artsted, “99 Future Blue-Chip Artists, 2o23 Edition,” Artsted Future Blue-Chip Artist Award
2022 Chantal Boynes, “Artist Interview,” Boynes International Emerging Artist Award
2021 Le Jardin, “A Walk Through the Gilded Gardens”