Artist Statement:

“These investigations span two and three dimensions through the making and un-making of form. I am responding to observations of clashes in the natural and industrial landscape. I am intrigued by the dichotomy of this growth of decay in natural and synthetic systems, from landfill strata to overgrown architecture and jobsite debris that has taken on a life of its own. I juxtapose graphic iconography with weathered, organic imagery. Many of these elements that are recycled, are repurposed and given new meaning. By documenting and distilling this visual data, I am drawing attention to multiple interpretations of contemporary issues and aesthetics . Some of these include: the contradictory nature of how we respond to the environment and current challenges of renewal and development. It is my hope that this work will resonate with the viewer, inspiring reflection and understanding.”

Ben Diller, Rooted, 2012. Photo by Sara Essex Bradley.

Artist Bio:

Ben Diller received his Master of Fine Arts in 2002 in Studio Art from the University of California, Davis. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 from the Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, OH, where he majored in Painting with a double minor in Sculpture and Printmaking. Diller has had solo exhibitions at OK Harris Gallery in New York,NY; ARC Gallery in Chicago,IL; and the Richmond Art Center in Richmond, CA. He has been an artist in residence at Sculpture Space in Utica, NY and the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT.

Diller also received grants from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA and the Ohio Arts Council. He is currently an Instructor of Art/Drawing Coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana University. He has lectured on his work at Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA, The diRosa Preserve in Napa, CA and the University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL. Ben and his artistic collaborator, Cynthia Giachetti, recently got married. They currently are in the exhibit, “Uniquely Louisiana” at the LSU Museum in Baton Rouge.

http://bendillerart.com/

Ben Diller, Rooted, 2012. Photo by Sara Essex Bradley.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Emerge Gallery is dedicated to site-specific works by emerging artists.

Thanks to the following for supporting the CAC’s new 2012 First Floor Initiative: Best Buy, Corporate Realty, Edward Wisner Donation Fund/City of New Orleans, Ella West Freeman Foundation, Greater New Orleans Foundation, Nola Paint and Supplies—Farrell~Calhoun Paint, Selley Foundation, Aimée & Mike Siegel, SPUN Cafe at CAC