Brandstater Gallery features paintings of Anthony Bennett

  Arts+Culture  

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – La Sierra University senior fine art major Anthony Bennett is showcasing his paintings at Brandstater Gallery in an exhibit titled “I’m Fine.”

A painting by artist and fine art major Anthony Bennett in his show, "I'm Fine."
A painting by artist and fine art major Anthony Bennett in his show, "I'm Fine."
Artist Anthony Bennett of Murrieta has created a series of portraits titled "I'm Fine."
Artist Anthony Bennett of Murrieta has created a series of portraits titled "I'm Fine."

The exhibit opens on Mon., May 15 and runs through Thurs., May 25. There will be a reception on Mon., May 15 at 6 p.m. at the gallery.

Bennett, a native of Newport Beach and Murrieta, paints portraits of fellow patients from his stay in a hospital where he was treated for depression. For the artist, his work employs the idea that an artist cannot force the completion of a painting, just as a person cannot be forced to feel better. Breaking away from a traditional idealized portrait, Bennett paints an emotional interpretation of this concept.

All the titles of the exhibited works are quotes from the individuals whose portraits he painted and come from Bennett’s journals during his hospital stay. When Bennett revisited his journals years after being discharged from the hospital, the quotes began a whole series of paintings. He would pull out interesting quotes from his readings and then do a quick sketch of what he remembered the patients looked like.

“I hope the people come away with a personal experience that is with the person in the portrait. I hope that viewers gain a better understanding of mental illness. It is not a phase or a choice, but a lifelong battle to become stable and healthy just like with any illness,” said Bennett.

Bennett also studied art at the University of La Verne and at Palomar College, respectively. He first considered pursuing performance art at La Sierra, but transitioned to fine art with a painting emphasis after taking a class with adjunct professor and professional artist Josh Hagler who exhibited at Brandstater Gallery in 2015.

Admission to Brandstater Gallery is free. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. through Wed., and noon to 7 p.m. on Thurs. For more information, call 951-785-2170, or email tmusso@lasierra.edu. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside. A campus map is available at https://lasierra.edu/campus-map/.

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