This moving collection of works drift between memory, fantasy and realism as Ben explores notions of love, marriage, and whimsical sentiment. Originally hailing from Ireland, Ben and his family now reside in the stunning Gold Coast Hinterland where he creates his works in a magical bush studio.

Says Ben of his new exhibition: “This body of work is a love letter to my wife. It’s a reflection of our time together, of the ups and downs, of a life shared and nurtured over the past 13 or so years. Some of these paintings are romantic in nature, but I tried to avoid being overly sentimental in my portrayal of our relationship, leaving room for new stories to emerge. It’s impossible to live our lives in a vacuum. We’re all impacted by the world around us—by the treatment of others, by time and unforeseen circumstances, and I wanted to build a sense of that tension in these works. It’s a celebration of the lovely life we’ve lived together so far. There are more stories to come.”