Matthew Benedict: Cobweb Castle April 16 – May 27, 2005 132 Tenth Avenue • Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm           (click on image to enlarge)   EXHIBITION: Matthew Benedict: Cobweb Castle DATES: April 16 – May 27, 2005 LOCATION: 132 Tenth Avenue between 18th and 19th HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 6pm Matthew Benedict will exhibit new paintings and sculpture at Alexander and Bonin from April 16th–May 27th. The exhibition is entitled Cobweb Castle; an allusion to the artist’s apartment. Benedict is known for his steadfast interest in particular subjects which he represents in diverse materials and forms. Many of his works tell or suggest a story or tale. Inspired by literature and histories of the sea and magic, his knowledge of a subject’s particulars and idiosyncrasies play an integral role in his practice. Three wall reliefs made from found objects and illusionistic constructed elements address subjects as diverse as shipwrecks, the mythological creature of the Centaur, and the weaponry of a game room. Utilizing stylistic conventions common to the decorative arts, Benedict employs contemporary elements such as toys and fragments of furniture to express a new reading of ancient myths or tales retold over centuries. Displays of scenes from past eras contrast with his employment of contemporary models and style cues, confounding straight forward or traditional readings. Matthew Benedict works in a variety of media including photography, embroidery, painting and sculpture. Born in Rockville, CT, he lives and works in Brooklyn. He has exhibited in New York since 1993 and with Mai 36 Galerie, Zürich since 1995. His works are included in the permanent collections of the Dallas Museum of Art, the Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the FRAC de Picardie, Amiens. He was commissioned by NASA in 2003 and has recently completed his first full scale set design for Basil Twist’s production of Ottorino Respighi’s La bella dormente nel bosco which will be presented at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston in May and at Lincoln Center in July 2005. For photographs or further information, please contact Alexis Canter at 212/367-7474 or ac@alexanderandbonin.com. Additional information and images can also be found on www.alexanderandbonin.com   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------