How Covid Changed My Art Practice
By Michael Benari | August 6, 2020
Most of my previous artistic work involved photography, shooting in black and white, usually film, but also digital. In the past, many of my photographic projects involved travel to New York and other places in the U.S., as well as travel abroad. But Covid-19 restrictions forced me to re-examine my practice.
The pandemic reality has forced me to spend more time in the studio, pursuing a direction I began about a year ago: “work on paper” using oil paint sticks on Fabriano Artistico paper. These abstract pieces relate to my photographic work and challenge me to expand and refine my aesthetic in a new medium. I’ve had time to experiment, too, going beyond a monochrome palette. Here are two recent works.
“Untitled #16,” Oil pant, 22″ x 30″ 2020
“Untitled #17,” Oil pant, 22″ x 30″ 2020
Being under semi lockdown also had another benefit—it gave me chance to work on a new photo book, Gray Matters, that I’d been planning before the pandemic set in. The Covid-19 reality slowed the production process a lot, and as a result I was able to complete all the careful image edits needed to complete a book that I’m proud to show. Click here to learn more.
There is something to be said for slowing down.
Copyright © 2020 Michael Benari
My educational background is in science and medicine, but I’ve always cherished a love for art. In 2007, I decided to embark fully on an artist’s path, mostly photography, and more recently work on paper using oil paint. I have a love for abstraction and incorporate that vision into my two practices. I have shown my work in New York, Boston and abroad, and have published several photography/art books.