Copyright © by Tom Benner. All rights reserved by artist. All artwork depicted on this website is the property of the artist, unless otherwise stated. If you have any questions concerning the copyright policy please contact me through my website.
Thanks to "The Real London" for photo of Tom Benner.

tombenner@rogers.com

I am an artist...a sculptor.
I was born in 1950 in London, Ontario where I live with my wife, Pauline, and my brother-in-law, Dennis. I have been making art for over 40 years. My primary work typically involves large-scale projects. Each piece is strongly rooted within a tradition of narrative and story-telling but is also equally concerned with materiality. Some stories are grounded with historical research, scouring book stores and libraries for information, some stories come in the form of dreams, memories. My sculpture is not solely about the individual piece, but also about the process, the materials, and the space it occupies. Hand-crafted, labour-intensive, and visibly-shaped, I make use of a cross-disciplinary approach, using copper, steel, wood, fiberglass, aluminum, leather, and many other materials, drawing, riveting, installing and sculpting.

“Benner is a spirit for the twenty-first century, eloquent without being didactic, serious without being weighty – an effective balance. Clearly, he is already some kind of classic to be understood and valued and his work will continue to reward viewers who seek artists relevant to the crucial issues of nature and the environment today” – Joan Murray

...of an artist...a sculptor.
"Benner has transformed history into an imaginary landscape, one that is bleak but offers a timely perspective - physical, political, and mental. In a way, Tom Benner is characteristic of Canadian artists today, speculative as they venture into familiar - and unfamiliar - territory" — Joan Murray, Canadian Art in the Twentieth Century, 1999
“Benner is a spirit for the twenty-first century, eloquent without being didactic, serious without being weighty – an effective balance. Clearly, he is already some kind of classic to be understood and valued and his work will continue to reward viewers who seek artists relevant to the crucial issues of nature and the environment today” – Joan Murray

“Over the course of a remarkable varied career, working in many modes of representation and visual idioms, Benner has remained true to engaging us in a complex, multi-faceted discourse with the art object. Aesthetic re-definition has been his fundamental intention as an artist. He creates creative collusions of ideas and materials, forms and a cleverly idiosyncratic, personal iconography. Benner’s imaginative alphabet embraces the supremacy of expressing new concepts of what constitutes art objects and the contexts of their presentation. By generously including the dimensions of time and space in his work, Benner accords them the same privileged place in the formal structure of his works of art as colour, light, line and texture. While irony and profitable juxtapositions of visual and non-visual elements are clever stratagems to deliver meaning, Benner never lapses into vacant visual gimmickry to make meaning. In the epic narrative of Benner’s artistic journey – up to and including the exhibition Call of the Wild – a journey heralded some forty years ago on Bonneville Salt Flats of the mind, Benner set a course to prove that art could move people at astonishing speeds in the limitless realm of the imagination.” – Tom Smart

“Impassioned and profound, Benner’s labour-intensive sculptures, such as The Pontiac Star Chief, extol the value of manual labour, the creative hand of the artist, and an inherent sympathy between the expressive qualities of materials, the process of construction, and a vitally important message. In the postmodern age of virtual realities, the physicality of his work brings us to an awareness of our own bodily presence, connecting mind to matter, culture to nature, and history to place. At its foundation, Benner’s art derives from a fundamental desire to play, to explore, and to create. As an antidote for our disturbed relationship with the natural world and out collective amnesia regarding the past, it offers the possibility of radically re-envisioning and reshaping reality, or taking us out of our narrow anthropocentric world by recovering our creative roots in wild nature.” – Terry Graff

“Tom Benner is surely as anomaly among artists working in Canada today. His work refuses to fit into any of the currently important trends yet in its own way is every bit as contemporary and effective. Much of the freshness of his sculpture comes from seeing it as Benner sees the animals he works from, innocent of the load of history, information and opinion that surrounds them. It is also for the most part a more truly Canadian art than that of his peers in the images it evokes and the way of life it describes. Benner’s work, taken as a whole, speaks of a Paradise Lost, flora on paper, fauna ‘museumized’ and people preserved in glass cases. It speaks of nature’s balance and beauty, man’s imperfection and power over her, and ultimately, and against common sense, of the artist’s conviction that she will endure.” – Goldie Rans

“I like to tell stories; most are the result of extensive research, a wide range of ideas and observations; and lots and lots of time at the library, at book stores, reading anything and everything; and listening to others telling their stories. The environment and our fragile relationship with it keeps me working and weaving stories; I hope viewers interpret them in their own way."

Thank you to all who made this exhibit possible and to all who visited.

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

April 5 - May 26, 2013 - Thunder Bay, Ontario

Tom Thomson Art Gallery

June 9 - September 8, 2013 - Owen Sound, Ontario

Art Gallery of Sudbury

September 14 - November 3, 2013 - Sudbury, Ontario

Art Gallery of Algoma

January 16 - May 31, 2014 - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

This exhibit is made possible in part by a grant from the Ontario Arts Council's Ontario Touring program. Thank You Ontario Arts Council.

Museum London

Tom Thomson Art Gallery

Art Gallery of Sudbury

Art Gallery of Algoma

Michael Gibson Gallery

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Curriculum Vitae of Tom Benner
•2016 The Michael Gibson Gallery, London, Ontario. "Ice Formations"
•2O14 Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
•2013 Art Gallery of Sudbury, Sudbury, Ontario
•2013 Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound, Ontario
•2013 Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario
•2012 The Woodstock Art Gallery, Woodstock, Ontario
•2011 Museum London, London, Ontario
•2010/11 The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton, New Brunswick
•2010 Sir Wilfred Grenfell College Art Gallery, Cornerbrook, Newfoundland
•2010 Confederation Centre Art Gallery Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
•2008 A Landscape at Union Station, Toronto, Ontario
•2007 Cruising the Margins; Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina, Saskatchewan
•2005 Tour of Cruising the Margins to Art Gallery Lampton, Sarnia, Ontario; Hart House Gallery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario; Art Gallery of Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario
•2004 Tour of Cruising the Margins to McIntosh Gallery, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario; Art Gallery, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
•2003 Tour of Cruising the Margins to Rodman Hall Arts Centre, St. Catharines, Ontario; Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound, Ontario; Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario
•2002 Tour of Cruising the Margins to Art Gallery of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario; 2002 Canadian International AutoShow, Toronto, Ontario; The Frick Art and Historical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Appleton Museum of Art, Ocala, Florida; The Station Gallery, Whitby, Ontario; The Station Gallery, Whitby, Ontario
•1999 Confederation Arts Centre, Charlotttown, PEI
•1998 Tour of Bison to Toronto, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Moose Jaw, Edmonton, Kamloops, Vancouver
•1996 London Regional Art Gallery, London, Ontario
•1996 Art Gallery of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario
•1996 Art Gallery St. Thomas-Elgin, St. Thomas, Ontario
•1995 Art Gallery of Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario
•1994 111 Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba
•1994 Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario
•1993 Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
•1991 The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
•1990 Embassy Cultural House, London, Ontario
•1990 Brampton Public Library and Art Gallery: Tom Benner: A Response
•1989 Sarnia Public Library and Art Gallery (“Artists with Their Work” Program): Tom Benner: A Response
•1989 Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, Guelph
•1988 Grimsby Public Art Gallery: Tom Benner: A Response
•1987 Kingston Artists’ Association Inc. and Queen’s University Campus (“Artists with Their Work” Program): Tom Benner: A Response and Outdoor Sculpture—Musk Ox
•1987 Woodstock Public Art Gallery (“Artists with Their Work” Program): Tom Benner’s Sculptures and Prints
•1987 Optica, Montréal: Tom Benner: A Response
•1986 Struts Gallery, Sackville, N.B.: Tom Benner: A Response
•1986 London Regional Art Gallery, London, Ontario: Tom Benner
•1986 Blyth Festival Gallery (“Artists with Their Work” Program): Tom Benner
•1985 Niagara Artists’ Centre, St. Catharines (“Artists with Their Work” Program): Tom Benner Recent Works
•1984 Chatham Cultural Centre (“Artists with Their Work” Program): Tom Benner
•1984 White Water Gallery, North Bay (“Artists with Their Work” Program): Tom Benner: Installation
•1983 Forest City Gallery, London, Ontario: Tom Benner: Wabi Sabi Sculpture Exhibition
•1982 London Regional Art Gallery: Tom Benner’s Third World Parody Kit
•1981 The Art Gallery at Harbourfront, Toronto: Tom Benner’s Third World Parody Kit
•1979 Forest City Gallery, London: Tom Benner’s Third World Parody Kit
•1978 Forest City Gallery, London: Tom Benner: Islands
•1976 McIntosh Gallery, The University of Western Ontario, London
•1973 Aggregation Gallery, Toronto: Tom Benner: New Fibreglass Sculpture •1973 Trajectory Gallery, London, Ontario: Tom Benner
•1971 McIntosh Gallery, The University of Western Ontario, London: Leaves of Grass Group Exhibitions

Curriculum Vitae of Tom Benner
•2019 Museum London, "Taking the Long View"
•2019 Woodstock Art Gallery, "Permanent Collection Showcase"
•2019 Windsor Art Gallery, "401 West! Portrait of the Region"
•2017 Artcite Inc., Windsor. "Dar'a/Full Circle" Copper Moon
•2017 McIntosh Gallery, University f Western Ontario "The Cold Front"
•2016 Museum London, "London Collects"
•2016 Woodstock Art Gallery, Prints
•2014 "Creative Minds" Westland Gallery, London, Ontario
•2012 Museum London, Embassy CulturalHouse Retrospective
•2012 Art Lab, University of Westem Ontario Art Gallery, Beal Anniversary Show
•1988 Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound CArtists with Their Work" Program): Festival of Sculpture
•1988 Rail’s End Gallery, Haliburton (“Artists with Their Work” program): From The Ground Up
•1986 Lynwood Arts Centre, Simcoe (“ Artists with Their Work” program): Sculpture on the Grounds
•1984 College Park, Toronto: Eight Exhibitions
•1980 Art Gallery of Hamilton: Tom Benner— Jamelie Hassan
•1979 A Space Gallery, London: Forest City Gallery/ A Space Exchange
•1977 Forest City Gallery, London: Ron Benner— Tom Benner: New Works
•1976 Sir George Williams Art Galleries, Concordia University, Montréal: Tom Benner—Ron Benner
•1976 Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto: Tom Benner/Ron Benner
•1976 Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto (circulating 1976- 77): Art Gallery of Windsor; Saidye Bronfman Centre, Montréal: De Cordova and Dana Museum, Lincoln, Massachusetts; Edmonton Art Gallery, Alta.; The Winnipeg Art Gallery, Man.; The Glenbow-Alberta Institute, Calgary; Burnaby Art Gallery, B.C.; The Simon Fraser Gallery, Vancouver; London Public Library and Art Museum: Changing Visions—The Canadian Landscape
•1976 London Art Gallery, Ontario: Selected Sculpture London
•1976 Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J.: Invitational Exhibition
•1976 McIntosh Gallery,The University of Western Ontario, London

Curriculum Vitae of Tom Benner
•Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie
•Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto
•Art Gallery of Simcoe
•Art Gallery of Windsor
•Art Gallery of Woodstock
•Canada Council Art Bank, Ottawa
•Confederation Center, P.E.I.
•London Life Collection, London
•Museum London, London, Ontario
•Ontario Arts Council, Toronto
•The Blackburn Group Inc., London
•Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound
•MacDonald Stewart Art Centre Guelph
•McIntosh Gallery, The University of Western Ontario, London
•Private collections

Curriculum Vitae of Tom Benner
•Algie, Jim. “Humans versus nature.” The Sun Times (Owen Sound), 27 August 1988.
•Andreae, Janice. “Benner’s art attacks the consumer society.” The London Free Press, 26 May 1979.
•Bale, Doug. “Super artist puts the brush to his enemies.” The London Free Press, 26 February 1982.
•Benner, Tom. Tom Benner’s Third World Parity Kit. London, Ontario: London Regional Art Gallery, 1982 (exhibition catalogue).
•Gill, Dennis. “Tom Benner, Struts Gallery.” Vanguard, Feb./Mar. 1987, vol.16, no.1, pp.35-36.
•Helwig, David. “Rhinoceros mascot stopped in its tracks.” The Globe and Mail (Toronto), 14 October 1987
•Kinkenberg, M. Telegraph Journal, Fredericton, N.B.October 2, 2009.
•Kowalenko, Al. “Brothers unearth organic art forms.” The Ryersonian Revue, 15 April 1976.
London, Anne. “Benner work roosts at Woodstock Gallery.” The London Free Press, 2 October 1989.
•Malone, Judy. “Brothers’ art mixes elements of violence, force.” The London Free Press, 4 February 1977.
•Malone, Judy. “Exhibition analyses man + environment.” The London Free Press, 10 February 1978.
•Martin, Robert. “Benner’s Colourful (and big) rocks.” The Globe and Mail (Toronto), 29 September 1973.
•McKaskell, Bob. “Tom Benner: Wabi Sabi, Forest City Gallery.” Embassy Cultural House Tabloid, 1984.
•Matijcio, Steven. Border Crossings, February 2005.
•Murray, Joan. Canadian Art in the 20th Century, 1999.
•Park, Mike. “Art comes to the park in new sculpture show.” The Haliburton County Echo, 29 June 1988.
•Poole, Jacquie. “A pod of walruses.” The Daily Sentinel-Review (Woodstock), 3 June 1987.
•Rans, Goldie. “Tom Benner, Forest City Gallery.” Vanguard, April 1984, vol.13, no.3, pp.39-40.
•Reaney, James Stewart. “Intensity of purpose evident in Tom Benner exhibit.” The London Free Press, 14 January 1984.
•Sikora, Anne. “Tom Benner’s Provocative Art.” The Whig-Standard (Kingston), 18 July 1987.
•Simone, Rose. “Alexander opens outdoor art exhibit.” The Expositor (Brantford), 2 August 1986.
•Sivell, J.N. “Tom Benner installation at NAC.” Niagara Arts Journal, October/November 1985.
•Szlavko, Susan. “Alexander opened exhibits.” Simcoe Reformer, 5 August 1986.
•Wilkin, Karen and Roald Nasgaard. Changing Visions: The Canadian Landscape. Edmonton and Toronto: The Edmonton Art Gallery and The Art Gallery of Ontario, 1976 (exhibition catalogue).

Curriculum Vitae of Tom Benner
•Guest Speaker: Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Sudbury, Art Gallery of Algoma 2013-2014
•Guest speaker/teacher at Woodstock Art Gallery, 2O12
•Guest speaker at Museum London, London, Ont. 2011
•Guest speaker/ teaching : The Beaverbrook Gallery, Frederiction, 2010/11 N.B
•Guest speaker/teacher Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown, PEI , 2010
•Guest speaker at Solo Exhibitions for "Cruising the Margins", 1991- 2007
•Sarnia Public Library and Art Gallery, “Artists with Their Work” Program, 1989
•Woodstock Public Art Gallery: Artist in Residence, 1988
•Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound,”Artists with Their Work” Program, 1988
•Rail’s End Gallery, Haliburton, “Artists with Their Work” Program, 1988
•Kingston Artists’ Association Inc., “Artists with Their Work” Program, 1987
•Woodstock Public Art Gallery, “Artists with Their Work” Program, 1987
•Mount Allison University, Sackville, N.B.: Visiting Artist, 1986
•Lynnwood Arts Centre, Simcoe, “Artists with their Work” Program, 1986
•Blyth Festival Gallery,”Artists with Their Work” Program, 1986
•Niagara Artists’ Centre, St. Catharines, “Artists with Their Work” Program, 1985
•White Water Gallery, North Bay, “Artists with Their Work” Program, 1984
•University of Western Ontario, London: Teaching Assistant, Technician, 1982-85

Curriculum Vitae of Tom Benner
•Canada Council Grants, 1972,1973,1975, 1986, 1988, 1996, 2001
•Ontario Arts Council Grants, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2005, 2011, 2012

Thank you to all who made this Exhibit possible and to those who visited.
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
April 5 - May 26, 2013 - Thunder Bay, Ontario

Tom Thomson Art Gallery
June 9 - September 8, 2013 - Owen Sound, Ontario

Art Gallery of Sudbury
September 14 - November 3, 2013 - Sudbury, Ontario

Art Gallery of Algoma
January 16 - May 31, 2014 - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

This exhibit is made possible in part by a grant from the Ontario Arts Council's Ontario Touring program. Thank You Ontario Arts Council.