Explorations in the Time of COVID
The first online auction of artworks by Bill Bensley was a great success and it has achieved results that went beyond our expectations with over 1 million Baht donated to Wildlife Alliance and Shinta Mani Wild Foundation to support environmental causes. Bill is an internationally acclaimed architect, who considers himself as an ‘Outsider’ to the art scene since he is a self-taught artist.
In his second timed auction, Bill is raising funds to give back to the local community by donating the sales proceeds to support treatments of patients infected with COVID-19, medical supplies and medical equipment, for King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and the Thai Red Cross Society. This charitable timed auction is entitled “Explorations in the Time of COVID” which will be open to bid on www.rcbauctions.com and www.invaluable.com from 17 September to 9 October 2021. (Closing at 6 p.m. Bangkok time on October 9). Alternatively, the auction is also available anywhere, anytime via App Store and Google Play.
Not only can art have the power to heal people’s soul during Covid-19 pandemic, it can also raise funds to help people who suffer from Covid-19. Coronavirus hit Thailand with renewed force in 2021 and sadly the fatality rate has continually increased with around 1.2 million infections and 12,000 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began. (statistics from the Department of Disease Control in Thailand). As a long term resident in Thailand, Bill Bensley feels for all those suffering both directly and indirectly from the pandemic: “Thailand has been my home for much of 40 years now, and the kind, warm and honest people of Thailand, have given me so much and taken care of me and my family, especially during Covid. It is only right that I do my small part to help what is, in my eyes, the most caring and loving people of the world.”
The paintings in the series “Explorations in the Time of COVID” are acrylic on canvas, as well as Burmese Powder. The works are divided into two themes, the first of which is Pestilence – Bill’s many musings on Covid and how it has shaped the world since 2020. This includes the new vocabulary we now have, evoked in Lot 1 The New Language which is distinguished by its unique graffiti style, a new approach from Bensley. Lot 6 The Variants, depicts the many variants of Covid in movement, shown as a roadmap to understanding the virus.
The second theme is Dreams, a wander into Bill’s mind during these strange times, a medley of his travels through Thailand in December 2020 and the thoughts which come to him in his dreams. At the end of last year Bill travelled to far flung parts of Thailand he had never had time to venture to. The pieces in this part of the series evoke this, such as Lot 2 The Sprits of Vongburi House a painting of gingerbread-style teak house built at the turn of the century in Phrae. Another is a painting of the biggest Catholic church in Thailand in Chanthanaburi: Lot 4 Church of the Immaculate Conception. A more dreamlike piece shows Bill dreaming of travels to Laos with Lot 3 Wat Xiengthong, Luang Prabang, Laos, a recollection of Bill drawing the temple under the moonlight.
The series also delves into more unusual elements, sometimes humorous, sometimes simply admiring the world around him. Lot 5 Mr. Potato Head represents Bill’s favorite childhood toy turned human, and below Bill’s father giving him the thumbs up. Another charming piece is Lot 8 The Flamboyant Baguettes, where Bill humorously paints a series of curved lines in conversation – Bill wonders if they might even be a couple! Other pieces are reflective of his surroundings in his Bangkok home of Baan Botanica: Lot 7 The Crooked Pot shows an antique teapot Bill rediscovered in his home, holding an orchid. It is a more experimental piece as Bill used Burmese powder to create a uniquely textured background which appears cracked, also seen in Lot 11 Japanese Vase. Flowers feature heavily in his collection, for instance in Lot 9 Lotus on Blue Lilies – a more abstract style for Bill, featuring clean lines drawn over a mix of indigo blue, black and green. Lot 10 Lotus on Green Lilies follows in a similar verve, both of them exceptional pieces.
Browse and bid artworks in the series “Explorations in the Time of COVID” on www.rcbauctions.com and www.invaluable.com from 17 September – 9 October 2021 (Closing at 6 p.m. Bangkok time on October 9). Stay tuned for the upcoming exhibition, “Love Camp Explore Dreams” by Bill Bensley at River City Bangkok.
About Bill Bensley
Bill Bensley is a jack of all trades – with a new notch on his belt! Having delved into the worlds of architecture, landscaping, interior design, fishing and even writing, Bensley is now adding the fine arts to his already impressive skill set. Unbeknownst to many, painting did not quite come naturally to Bill, having only discovered a passion for it over the last four years. Inspired and taught by his dear friend and Caribbean-based artist, Kate Spencer, Bill picked up his paintbrush and easel, and fell down the rabbit hole. After four years – and several painting holidays with Kate, Bill now draws and paints wherever he goes, and whenever he has a minute to spare – on aeroplanes, site visits and even on the back of menus! Bill has developed a fauvist style, bursting with beautiful bold colours, delightful forms, often a touch of humour, and his trademark gift for storytelling. As someone who was never a student of the fine arts, he considers himself an “Outsider” to the arts scene, but is very excited to see where it will take him. During 2020 when his travel was cut down from 30 weeks in the year to none, Bill was able to devote all his spare time to his newfound passion. He currently has a collection of nearly 100 paintings and countless sketches – the paintings ranging in size from around 50×50 cm to over 3 metres! These often mix mediums, from watercolour to acrylic, oil and pastel, even passing through collage. Bill often arrives at the office on a Monday morning having painted a new painting.
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