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ARTIST STATEMENT - ROBERT BENDT I began painting the interior subtropical forest of coastal, southwest Florida after a visit to Cayo Costa Island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. The landscape I observed during that initial visit intrigued me and made a lasting impression. The lush, tangled, seemingly limitless vegetation captured my imagination and in it I saw an opportunity to explore issues of the human experience and embody them in the imagery of nature. This initial visit was in 1994 and to this date I remain mystified by ever changing sense of light and space. I developed a visual vocabulary that keeps changing as I continue to struggle with the depth, and light I observe and expression of them with invented color and hidden images.
ABOUT THE ARTIST Robert Bendt has been developing a series of subtropical landscapes since 1996. A painter all his adult life, he has focused his attention primarily on his fascination with the sense and reality of the subtropical forest of Gulf Coast Florida. But no matter the subject his images deal with the issues that fall somewhere between the mystique and the beauty and between what is seen and what is felt. Trained at Rhode Island School of Design, Robert has exhibited at museums, universities and galleries throughout the United States. He maintains a studio at St.James City, Pine Island, Florida and at Sharon, Massachusetts.
REVIEWS '"Robert's paintings, although depicting tropical settings, tell a story and draw you completely and deeply in. His sense of wonder and mystery about this type of environment is obvious and you can't help but develop those feelings yourself. Very moving, sometimes dark and brooding, Robert's body of work evokes a true human response."- Norma Urban, Fine Artist, owner of Artchitecturals, and Curator of the Blanche Ames National Art Exhibition. “When you first view the work of Robert Bendt you quickly realize that his images are not exactly what they appear to be but instead they cause you to suspend your judgments. They create layers of nuance that do not simplify but complicate." - Ralph Suede, art critic "Robert’s artistic vision creates a magical, mystical, exotic world of unique wonders that emerge from the darkness. It is original, significant and timeless." – Gary Slickman, Owner, Visions of Time, Natick, MA |
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2011 24th September Competition Exhibition Providence Art Club Eight Visions Highlands Museum of Art GALLERIES Wild Child Gallery CONTACT INFORMATION rbendt66@gmail.com PURCHASE INFO Pricing of all artwork is available upon request. |
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EXHIBITIONS