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Artist Statement
Vacancies
My current ongoing series of photographs titled Vacancies is a personal investigation into the details of daily life. Exploring urban and suburban landscapes, I attempt to discover the disquieting, remarkable or beautiful aspects of common existence. Generally devoid of people, many of these scenes appear eerily vacant, although they maintain the weightiness of populated spaces, or perhaps evoke an unsettling absence of life. By drawing attention to these lost moments or tertiary spaces, I strive to expose the beauty of the everyday world we live in.
These images were captured without any staging or set-up of the subjects or scenes. This documentary approach provides the photographs with an important aspect of truth. The act of noticing and photographing these scenes is the process. By recognizing often-overlooked spaces, outlooks or visual thoughts and memories, I attempt to elevate these scenes, giving them poignancy over and above the commonplace.
In an age of digital manipulation, these images are decidedly raw and unedited. They refer to a long history of photographers who captured daily life through a uniquely personal lens such as Robert Frank, Danny Lyons and Garry Winogrand. They are proof that the world around us—unaltered and intact —continues to offer an important subject worth exploring.
Vacancies
My current ongoing series of photographs titled Vacancies is a personal investigation into the details of daily life. Exploring urban and suburban landscapes, I attempt to discover the disquieting, remarkable or beautiful aspects of common existence. Generally devoid of people, many of these scenes appear eerily vacant, although they maintain the weightiness of populated spaces, or perhaps evoke an unsettling absence of life. By drawing attention to these lost moments or tertiary spaces, I strive to expose the beauty of the everyday world we live in.
These images were captured without any staging or set-up of the subjects or scenes. This documentary approach provides the photographs with an important aspect of truth. The act of noticing and photographing these scenes is the process. By recognizing often-overlooked spaces, outlooks or visual thoughts and memories, I attempt to elevate these scenes, giving them poignancy over and above the commonplace.
In an age of digital manipulation, these images are decidedly raw and unedited. They refer to a long history of photographers who captured daily life through a uniquely personal lens such as Robert Frank, Danny Lyons and Garry Winogrand. They are proof that the world around us—unaltered and intact —continues to offer an important subject worth exploring.
CV
John Bentham is an award-winning photographer specializing in documentary and location photography. His work has been exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Paris, Tokyo and Prague, and his photographs are represented in numerous private and institutional collections. John’s first monograph, OneLegUpNYC, an exploration of underground NYC clubs was published in 2007 and featured a foreword by Anthony Haden-Guest. John Bentham was recently granted one of only twelve juried and coveted slots in the Magnum Photos portfolio review and was named “A Photographer to Watch,” by Kodak. He has garnered additional accolades from Nikon, Photo District News, The New York Times and The Maine Media Workshops.
John Bentham teaches advanced photo workshops for The Digital Photo Academy, in addition to teaching photography at Lehman College, CUNY. See more of John’s work at www.johnbentham.com
Solo Exhibitions:
Duvet Lounge, Photographs of Morocco, Two-person show, New York City, 2009.
PS122 Gallery, Two-person show, New York City, 2008.
Galapagos Art Space, Brooklyn, New York City, 2004.
Group Exhibitions:
Mist Wave Interactive Art Installation Benefit, New York City, 2011.
The One Story Literary Debutante Ball, New York City, 2011
Leave Out Violence, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2011.
The Centro Fotografico Alvarez Bravo, Oaxaca, Mexico, Curated by Mary Ellen Mark, 2011.
PS 122 Gallery: Last Call, 2010.
Lehman College Art Department Faculty Show, Lehman College Art Gallery, CUNY, New York City, 2010.
The 4th Annual Drag Show Video Verite, Lincoln Center, New York City, 2010.
25th Anniversary Salon, Lehman College Art Gallery, CUNY, New York City, 2010.
Leave Out Violence, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2010.
Galerie 13 Sévigné, Paris, France, 2008.
Art Gotham, New York City, 2008.
TOAST, TriBeCa Open Artists Studio Tour, New York City, 2008.
Franklin Station Café, New York City, 2008.
New York Law School, New York City, 2008.
Toast to TOAST, Synagogue for the Arts Gallery, New York City, 2008.
The Culture Center, New York City, 2008.
PS122 Gallery, Benefit Exhibition, New York City, 2007.
PDN PhotoPlus Expo, World in Focus Exhibition, New York City, 2007.
ADC Photography Invitational Review, New York City, 2007.
Leave Out Violence, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2007.
Toast to TOAST, Synagogue for the Arts Gallery, 2007.
TOAST. - TriBeCa Open Artists Studio Tour, 2007.
TriBeCa Organization, The TriBeCa Film Festival, MI-5, 2007.
Franklin Station Café, New York City, 2007.
New York Law School, New York City, 2007.
Leave Out Violence, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2006.
Traveling Light, Photographic Images of Travel, Elmhurst Hospital Center, New York City, 2005.
Photowork’04, Barrett Art Center, Competition juried by Jennifer Blessing,The Guggenheim Museum, Poughkeepsie, New York, 2004.
Kodak Photography, The Duggal Lab, New York City, 2004.
SOHO Photo Gallery, Juried by Janet Borden, New York City, 2004.
Contact/ARVD, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2003.
Design Trust for Public Spaces, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2003.
Exotic Representation, The Bertha and Karl Leubsdorf Gallery, Hunter College, CUNY, New York City, 2002.
Mohonk Preserve, Exhibition and Benefit, New Paltz, NY, 2002.
Design Trust for Public Spaces, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2002.
Mohonk Preserve, Exhibition and Benefit, New Paltz, NY, 2001.
Viscomm ‘96, Jacob Javits Center, New York City, 1996.
Viscomm ‘96, San Francisco, CA, 1996.
The Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada, 1995.
Fotoforum, Prague, Czech Republic, 1992.
Nikon House, Nikon Photo Contest International, Tokyo, Japan, 1991.
Nikon House, Nikon Photo Contest International, New York City, 1991.
Center for Art and Design, Toronto, Canada, 1990.
Education:
1997: Mary Ellen Mark Workshop, Scholarship, The Maine Workshops, Oaxaca, Mexico.
1984-1986: Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada, Post Graduate Studies, Photographic Arts.
1981-1982: York University, Toronto, Canada, Post Graduate Studies, Fine Arts, Photography and Printmaking.
1978-1981: University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography and Printmaking.
Awards/Honors:
Px3 Photo Competition, Prix de la Photographie, Paris, 2008.
Photowork’04, Barrett Art Center Photography Competition, Second Place, 2004.
Folio Magazine Ozzie Awards, Best BW Feature, Gold, 2003.
Photo District News, Best Web Site, Photography Annual 2003.
RX Club Awards, Award of Excellence, VFEND Launch Kit, 2002.
RX Club Awards, Award of Excellence, VFEND Survival Ad, 2002.
RX Club Awards, Award of Excellence, VFEND Doctors Ad, 2002.
MacroMedia Site of the Day, Audi Website, 2001.
International ARC Awards, Gold Award, 1999.
International ARC Awards, Bronze Award, 1999.
Maine Photographic Workshops, Golden Light Awards, 1996.
Creativity ‘95 Awards, 1995.
Studio Magazine Award, 1994.
Art Directors Club Award, 1992.
Kenneth R. Wilson Memorial Award, Gold, 1991.
Nikon Photo Contest International, 1991.
Studio Magazine Award, Silver Award, 1989.
Art Directors Club Award, 1988.
Photography Award, Ryerson University, 1986.
Publications:
Take Great Pictures, Contributing Writer
Digital Photo Academy, Contributing Writer
NYMetroParents Magazines, Contributing Writer
The Catalog for Giving, Fifth Edition, 2009.
OneLegUpNYC, STF Ediciones / Imagen, 2007.
Mark Morris Dance Group, Celebrating 25 Years, 2005.
The Catalog for Giving, Fourth Edition, 2005.
Kodak Professional, ProPass Magazine, A Photographer To Watch, 2003.
Black Book Photography, 2002.
The Catalog for Giving, Third Edition, 2001.
The Alternative Pick, Tenth Edition, 2001.
Fifty Women Turn Fifty, Meredith Publications, 2001.
Best of the Best, Food and Wine Collection, 2001.
The Alternative Pick, Ninth Edition, 2000.
Savoring the Spice Coast of India, HarperCollins, 2000.
The Catalog for Giving, Second Edition, 1999.
The Alternative Pick, Eighth Edition, 1999.
Alternate View Magazine, Profile on John Bentham, 1997.
PhotoLife Magazine Article, Focus On John Bentham, January/February issue 1991.
The Kawamata Project, Mercer Union, Toronto, Canada, Documentary Photographs of the installation, Toronto, 1989.
Private Collections: Work is represented in numerous private and corporate collections (Select list):
Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Alvarez Bravo Photographic Center, Oaxaca, Mexico.
The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction.
Danielle and Jeremy Galland, New York City.
Philip Glass, New York City.
Amy Gross, Editor, The Oprah Magazine, New York City.
Janet Hanson, 85 Broads, New York City.
Lori Hawkins, Eastman Kodak Company, New York City.
Gregory Hazelden, Savannah, Georgia
Nancy Jeffries, M+ Management, New York City.
Yun-Fei Ji, New York City.
Jay Leno, Los Angeles, California
Estate of Frank McCourt, New York City.
Joe Miller, Bank of America, New York City.
Dr. Karim Nader, Montreal, Canada.
Richard Rabinowitz, Rainmaker Marketing, New York City.
Justine Stamen, Founder, The Teak Fellowship, New York City.
Susan Swan, Toronto, Canada.
Uma Thurman, New York City.
Tibet House, New York City.
Margo Timmins, The Cowboy Junkies, Toronto, Canada.
Teaching Experience:
2008 – present: Adjunct Professor, Photography, Lehman College, CUNY.
2009 – 2011: Host, Monthly Photography Webinar, LivinginHD.com.
2007 – present: Advanced Photography Workshop Instructor, Panasonic Digital Photo Academy.
2005 – present: Guest Lecturer, Leave Out Violence, Photography Program.
2009 Guest Lecturer, Cultural Arts Program, Cold Spring Harbor School District, New York.
2007 Guest Lecturer, Drew University, Madison, New Jersey
1999 – present: Staff photographer, Urban Mozaik Magazine.
2003 Home of the Free, Washington Mutual Mentor Program with Eddie Adams and David Hume Kennerly.
John Bentham is an award-winning photographer specializing in documentary and location photography. His work has been exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Paris, Tokyo and Prague, and his photographs are represented in numerous private and institutional collections. John’s first monograph, OneLegUpNYC, an exploration of underground NYC clubs was published in 2007 and featured a foreword by Anthony Haden-Guest. John Bentham was recently granted one of only twelve juried and coveted slots in the Magnum Photos portfolio review and was named “A Photographer to Watch,” by Kodak. He has garnered additional accolades from Nikon, Photo District News, The New York Times and The Maine Media Workshops.
John Bentham teaches advanced photo workshops for The Digital Photo Academy, in addition to teaching photography at Lehman College, CUNY. See more of John’s work at www.johnbentham.com
Solo Exhibitions:
Duvet Lounge, Photographs of Morocco, Two-person show, New York City, 2009.
PS122 Gallery, Two-person show, New York City, 2008.
Galapagos Art Space, Brooklyn, New York City, 2004.
Group Exhibitions:
Mist Wave Interactive Art Installation Benefit, New York City, 2011.
The One Story Literary Debutante Ball, New York City, 2011
Leave Out Violence, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2011.
The Centro Fotografico Alvarez Bravo, Oaxaca, Mexico, Curated by Mary Ellen Mark, 2011.
PS 122 Gallery: Last Call, 2010.
Lehman College Art Department Faculty Show, Lehman College Art Gallery, CUNY, New York City, 2010.
The 4th Annual Drag Show Video Verite, Lincoln Center, New York City, 2010.
25th Anniversary Salon, Lehman College Art Gallery, CUNY, New York City, 2010.
Leave Out Violence, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2010.
Galerie 13 Sévigné, Paris, France, 2008.
Art Gotham, New York City, 2008.
TOAST, TriBeCa Open Artists Studio Tour, New York City, 2008.
Franklin Station Café, New York City, 2008.
New York Law School, New York City, 2008.
Toast to TOAST, Synagogue for the Arts Gallery, New York City, 2008.
The Culture Center, New York City, 2008.
PS122 Gallery, Benefit Exhibition, New York City, 2007.
PDN PhotoPlus Expo, World in Focus Exhibition, New York City, 2007.
ADC Photography Invitational Review, New York City, 2007.
Leave Out Violence, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2007.
Toast to TOAST, Synagogue for the Arts Gallery, 2007.
TOAST. - TriBeCa Open Artists Studio Tour, 2007.
TriBeCa Organization, The TriBeCa Film Festival, MI-5, 2007.
Franklin Station Café, New York City, 2007.
New York Law School, New York City, 2007.
Leave Out Violence, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2006.
Traveling Light, Photographic Images of Travel, Elmhurst Hospital Center, New York City, 2005.
Photowork’04, Barrett Art Center, Competition juried by Jennifer Blessing,The Guggenheim Museum, Poughkeepsie, New York, 2004.
Kodak Photography, The Duggal Lab, New York City, 2004.
SOHO Photo Gallery, Juried by Janet Borden, New York City, 2004.
Contact/ARVD, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2003.
Design Trust for Public Spaces, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2003.
Exotic Representation, The Bertha and Karl Leubsdorf Gallery, Hunter College, CUNY, New York City, 2002.
Mohonk Preserve, Exhibition and Benefit, New Paltz, NY, 2002.
Design Trust for Public Spaces, Exhibition Benefit, New York City, 2002.
Mohonk Preserve, Exhibition and Benefit, New Paltz, NY, 2001.
Viscomm ‘96, Jacob Javits Center, New York City, 1996.
Viscomm ‘96, San Francisco, CA, 1996.
The Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada, 1995.
Fotoforum, Prague, Czech Republic, 1992.
Nikon House, Nikon Photo Contest International, Tokyo, Japan, 1991.
Nikon House, Nikon Photo Contest International, New York City, 1991.
Center for Art and Design, Toronto, Canada, 1990.
Education:
1997: Mary Ellen Mark Workshop, Scholarship, The Maine Workshops, Oaxaca, Mexico.
1984-1986: Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada, Post Graduate Studies, Photographic Arts.
1981-1982: York University, Toronto, Canada, Post Graduate Studies, Fine Arts, Photography and Printmaking.
1978-1981: University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography and Printmaking.
Awards/Honors:
Px3 Photo Competition, Prix de la Photographie, Paris, 2008.
Photowork’04, Barrett Art Center Photography Competition, Second Place, 2004.
Folio Magazine Ozzie Awards, Best BW Feature, Gold, 2003.
Photo District News, Best Web Site, Photography Annual 2003.
RX Club Awards, Award of Excellence, VFEND Launch Kit, 2002.
RX Club Awards, Award of Excellence, VFEND Survival Ad, 2002.
RX Club Awards, Award of Excellence, VFEND Doctors Ad, 2002.
MacroMedia Site of the Day, Audi Website, 2001.
International ARC Awards, Gold Award, 1999.
International ARC Awards, Bronze Award, 1999.
Maine Photographic Workshops, Golden Light Awards, 1996.
Creativity ‘95 Awards, 1995.
Studio Magazine Award, 1994.
Art Directors Club Award, 1992.
Kenneth R. Wilson Memorial Award, Gold, 1991.
Nikon Photo Contest International, 1991.
Studio Magazine Award, Silver Award, 1989.
Art Directors Club Award, 1988.
Photography Award, Ryerson University, 1986.
Publications:
Take Great Pictures, Contributing Writer
Digital Photo Academy, Contributing Writer
NYMetroParents Magazines, Contributing Writer
The Catalog for Giving, Fifth Edition, 2009.
OneLegUpNYC, STF Ediciones / Imagen, 2007.
Mark Morris Dance Group, Celebrating 25 Years, 2005.
The Catalog for Giving, Fourth Edition, 2005.
Kodak Professional, ProPass Magazine, A Photographer To Watch, 2003.
Black Book Photography, 2002.
The Catalog for Giving, Third Edition, 2001.
The Alternative Pick, Tenth Edition, 2001.
Fifty Women Turn Fifty, Meredith Publications, 2001.
Best of the Best, Food and Wine Collection, 2001.
The Alternative Pick, Ninth Edition, 2000.
Savoring the Spice Coast of India, HarperCollins, 2000.
The Catalog for Giving, Second Edition, 1999.
The Alternative Pick, Eighth Edition, 1999.
Alternate View Magazine, Profile on John Bentham, 1997.
PhotoLife Magazine Article, Focus On John Bentham, January/February issue 1991.
The Kawamata Project, Mercer Union, Toronto, Canada, Documentary Photographs of the installation, Toronto, 1989.
Private Collections: Work is represented in numerous private and corporate collections (Select list):
Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Alvarez Bravo Photographic Center, Oaxaca, Mexico.
The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction.
Danielle and Jeremy Galland, New York City.
Philip Glass, New York City.
Amy Gross, Editor, The Oprah Magazine, New York City.
Janet Hanson, 85 Broads, New York City.
Lori Hawkins, Eastman Kodak Company, New York City.
Gregory Hazelden, Savannah, Georgia
Nancy Jeffries, M+ Management, New York City.
Yun-Fei Ji, New York City.
Jay Leno, Los Angeles, California
Estate of Frank McCourt, New York City.
Joe Miller, Bank of America, New York City.
Dr. Karim Nader, Montreal, Canada.
Richard Rabinowitz, Rainmaker Marketing, New York City.
Justine Stamen, Founder, The Teak Fellowship, New York City.
Susan Swan, Toronto, Canada.
Uma Thurman, New York City.
Tibet House, New York City.
Margo Timmins, The Cowboy Junkies, Toronto, Canada.
Teaching Experience:
2008 – present: Adjunct Professor, Photography, Lehman College, CUNY.
2009 – 2011: Host, Monthly Photography Webinar, LivinginHD.com.
2007 – present: Advanced Photography Workshop Instructor, Panasonic Digital Photo Academy.
2005 – present: Guest Lecturer, Leave Out Violence, Photography Program.
2009 Guest Lecturer, Cultural Arts Program, Cold Spring Harbor School District, New York.
2007 Guest Lecturer, Drew University, Madison, New Jersey
1999 – present: Staff photographer, Urban Mozaik Magazine.
2003 Home of the Free, Washington Mutual Mentor Program with Eddie Adams and David Hume Kennerly.
Building Renovations, New York City, 2011, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Vintage Subway Car, New York City, 2011, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Pop-Up Indoor Park, New York City, 2011, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Diving Raft, Fire Island, NY, 2011, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Campsite, Upstate NY, 2011, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Helicopter, New York City, 2009, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Hotel, Los Angeles, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Hotel Elevator, Los Angeles, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Hotel Stairs, Los Angeles, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Soggy Newspapers, New York City, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Subway CCTV, New York City, 2009, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Yard Sale Dress, Upstate NY, 2008, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Hot Dog, New York City, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Bowling Alley, New York City, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Hotel, Fire Island, NY, 2008, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Parking Lot, Long Island, NY, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Coffee Shop, Long Island, NY, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Fed Ex Trucks, New York City, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Freight Entrance, New York City, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable
Covered Car, Fire Island, NY, 2010, Digital color photograph, Dimensions variable