Bill Bensley Exhibits at the ART Space at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, April 21 – July 31, 2023

Bill Bensley, the artist, will debut a new exhibit at the ART Space by MOCA BANGKOK at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River on April 21, running through to the end of July 2023. The new exhibition invites visitors to travel the world with Bensley and the Faroe Knitting Club. Fans who enjoyed his first exhibition, LOVE CAMP EXPLORE DREAMS, at River City last year will recognize his trademark humour and bold colours. The exhibition sold out and some of the artworks from that show were resold at Art Basel.

After a solid year of painting, Bensley’s new show the Faroese Chronicle is ready.  “The exhibition is a rather serious chronicle seen through the rose-tinted lens of the Faroese Knitting Club in the Faroe Islands and my love for that part of the world,” said Bensley.

“I’ve been visiting the Faroe Islands for 15 years and have built wonderful relationship with 11 quirky, sometimes simply stark staring mad, but profoundly sincere friends,” Bensley said with a grin. “I have travelled with this small clique to a dozen countries and have learned that the Faroese people are open-minded, curious, and celebrate life like no one else.  And now I am blessed to be the storyteller of a most obscure and untold chronicle.”

Visitors will take away with them an understanding that the Faroe Islands is not just a remote picture postcard wilderness in the Arctic circle, but a close-knit society that hangs tenaciously on to its precious history perhaps more than anywhere in the world. Bensley’s artistry clearly captures the soul of the Faroe Islands and its people and should entertain both critics and novices equally. 

“We are thrilled to have Bill as the next featured artist exhibition at the ART Space,” says Four Seasons Bangkok Regional Vice President and General Manager Lubosh Barta. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with and becoming good friends with Bill for many years throughout my time in Thailand and I am continually impressed by his artistry.  I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us.”

Purpose

All of Bensley’s work, be it artistic or in hospitality, has a meaningful purpose. A concerned conservationist and passionate philanthropist, he works tirelessly to raise funds for the Shinta Mani Foundation outreach projects in Cambodia. Bensley is extremely dedicated to the important work the Foundation does, making a real difference to the lives of local villagers and families in these communities as well as conservation. One hundred percent of proceeds raised through the sale of the artworks will go directly to these projects.

Prices range from USD 6,000 to 8,500 and each artwork will be assigned to and raise funds for a specific project covering the four pillars of the Foundation: education, health care, conservation/environment and direct assistance.  Projects include providing fully funded scholarships for students at the Shinta Mani Hospitality School in Siem Reap, provision of clean water via direct pipe systems, Kohler water filters water wells, providing micro-loans to support a variety of causes for impoverished families such as bicycles for children to make it easier for them to attend school. The Foundation also works with closely with NGO Wildlife Alliance on a number of conservation and wildlife protection projects.

Exhibition Details

The Faroese Chronicle exhibition comprising 38 artworks will run from April 21 to July 31, 2023.   A digital catalog will be made available for viewers and buyers to peruse the artwork and purchase from abroad. Packing prior to shipping will be organized by MOCA BANGKOK. The artworks (1.2 x 1.2 metres or 4 x 4 feet each) are stretched on collapsible frames, allowing guests to take them with home immediately as checked in luggage.  Shipping costs are not included.

As part of the exhibition, Bensley will be hosting a special Behind the Art talk at The Library at The Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, followed by a Painting Master Class on May 20, 2023. Additional details and timing will be announced on @FSBangkok on Instagram in the coming weeks.

Flipbook link for artworks, catalogue and projects, click here.

Link for Faroese Chronicle Press JPEGs, click here.

About the ART Space by MOCA BANGKOK at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River

The innovative ART Space at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River has emerged from a partnership with MOCA BANGKOK. Located in the Bangkok Creative District, art and creativity take centre stage as imaginative Thai artists offer guests a unique opportunity to immerse in the local creative landscape without leaving the Hotel.

Under the joint initiative, the Hotel displays a selection of impeccably curated Thai works of art by MOCA BANGKOK. Exhibits rotate on a regular basis, so Bangkok residents as well as returning Four Seasons guests can view new collections several times a year. The showcase at the Hotel is an extension of the museum, a chance to appreciate fine art in an unconventional ambience.

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, landscape architecture, interior design, fishing and even writing, Bensley is now adding the fine arts to his already impressive skill set. Unbeknown to many, painting did not quite come naturally to Bill, having only discovered a passion for it over the last three 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 a few 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.