Benjamin Degen (born 1976) is an American painter based in
New York City.
Early life and education
Benjamin Degen was born in
Brooklyn, New York, to children's book author and illustrator
Bruce Degen
Bruce Degen (born June 14, 1945) is an American illustrator and writer with over forty children's books to his credit.
He may be known best for illustrating ''The Magic School Bus'', a picture book series written by Joanna Cole. He has collabor ...
and artist Christine Degen. He received his bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from
The Cooper Union School of Art and Science in 1998. A year prior to receiving his B.F.A, he participated in the Yale Norfolk Painting Fellowship, a summer program at
Yale University for rising undergraduate seniors in the fine arts.
Career and influences
Degen finds inspiration in classical painting, nature, and the human body. His work often explores the relationships between groups and individuals within their urban or natural surroundings. In a review for ''
The Brooklyn Rail'', Jonathan Beer wrote, “Degen’s technique and figurative scenes call to mind the work of
Dana Schutz and
George Seurat. He paints the fleeting and flickering play of light on an unfixed world.”
Degen has exhibited internationally in solo and group exhibitions. His work has been featured in group exhibitions at
Collezione Maramotti
The Collezione Maramotti is the private collection of contemporary art of Achille Maramotti, who founded Max Mara. It is housed in the former premises of the company in Reggio Emilia, in Emilia Romagna in central Italy, converted for the pur ...
,
MoMA PS1, and The William Benton Museum of Art at the
University of Connecticut.
Degen's work can be found in the collections of
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC; the
Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas; and The Tang Museum at
Skidmore College, New York.
He is represented by Susan Inglett Gallery, New York.
Personal life
Degen is married to artist
Hope Gangloff
Hope Gangloff (born 1974) is an American painter based in New York City who is known for her vividly-colored portraiture.
Early life and education
Gangloff was born in Amityville, New York. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Cooper ...
. His brother is the comic book artist Alex Degen.
References
External links
Artist's Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Degen, Benjamin
Cooper Union alumni
1976 births
Living people
Painters from Brooklyn
American contemporary painters