Charlie Bennell Captures a Utopian World Full of Colour
Based in Sydney, Charlie Bennell’s artworks evoke a dream, of stairs that blend and walls that merge, all in bright, primary colours that complement and soothe.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson I Photography: Alisha Gore & Nick De Lorenzo
‘I believe our surrounding environments greatly reflect our internal landscape and vice versa,’ says Charlie Bennell. Photo: Nick De Lorenzo
Liminal Space No.8 by Charlie Bennell.
‘I like sketching on photoshop to start with – I find it gives me more space to make mistakes and experiment without caring too much.’ Photo: Alisha Gore
Liminal Space No.6 by Charlie Bennell.
“Living in New York was a really great experience for my practice because it pushed me way out of my comfort zone and allowed me to take more risks and experiment more in my art-making.”
‘I find inspiration in the architectural aspects of our world that we forget to notice in the fast-paced nature of contemporary life.’ Photo: Alisha Gore
Charlie Bennell captures a world full of colour and surrealist iconography that twists and turns — akin to M.C. Escher for an Instagram audience.
The love of art first began in primary school for Charlie, continuing through high school, but it wasn’t until after she graduated that she considered becoming an artist full-time.
‘Before I finished school, I did an exchange and lived with a family in France for a little while. Visiting the beautiful museums there introduced me to the world of art, and I think that is when my fascination and love for it really started.’
But it was her mum's support that finally led Charlie to study Fine Art at UNSW Art and Design and make the leap into an art practice.
Charlie went on to study art at the Parsons School of Design in New York, an experience that allowed her to grow and expand from her comfort zone. ‘I didn’t feel bound to make what people expected me to make or to be who people expected me to be because I didn’t know anyone there when I moved,’ she reflects.
Her teachers here inspired the young artist to experiment and develop her works drawing on bold colours to counteract the monotone winters. ‘I also saw Hilma af Klint’s show at the Guggenheim while I was over there, which had a great influence on me,’ Charlie adds.
Today, back in Australia, the artist finds herself being drawn to more earthy tones synonymous with the landscape. But rather than connecting with the environment itself, it’s the experience of travelling — such as in Turkey — or exploring architecture online.
Surrealist architecture seems to be the basis of Charlie’s approach as she works through a sense of utopic spaces. ‘Colourful, naive and minimally minded, to be supportive of constructive energies, she shares.
‘I find inspiration in the architectural aspects of our world that we forget to notice in the fast-paced nature of contemporary life,’ Charlie observes. ‘I enjoy observing everyday structures we pass through unconsciously, a staircase or a doorway, and playing with formalist ideas around light and shadow to infuse some vibrancy into them.’
The Sydney-based artist begins her process by sketching on photoshop, allowing for pure experimentation and mistakes. She then transfers this into a physical painting, translating the digital onto canvas. ‘Then I almost let my hands do the work while my mind indulges in podcasts, and I probably won’t move away from the painting for hours if I’m in the right mood!’ Charlie shares.
An ever-changing colour palette features throughout Charlie’s oeuvre. ‘My camera roll consists of lots of photos from walks of combinations of colours that I came across and felt interested by,’ she explains. ‘I also find lots of colour inspiration from online spaces and social media.’
Coming up for Charlie is a solo exhibition, Liminal Spaces, at PIERMARQ* gallery in Sydney from 25th May to 11th of June.