Sandra Benhaim

Contact Information

sandrabenhaim@gmail.com

http://sandrabenhaim.com/

PO Box 7464 Philadelphia, PA 19101

Please contact artist for purchases, commissions, etc.

Paintings

Mixed Media/Collage

Archived Work

Artist's Biography

Sandra Benhaim is a Philadelphia based painter, working in oil, mixed media, and collages. After working representationally for many years, “little pieces of landscapes” began to mix in her artwork with pure abstractions of color and texture. Lately, she has created mainly abstract images, expressing in unabashed and exuberant color her passion for nature. Sandra, born and raised in Philadelphia, attended Tyler School of Art (of Temple University) on a full-paid four year scholarship, earning a Masters as well as a B.F.A. from Tyler. She additionally studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Fleisher Art Memorial. During the 20 years following her Tyler education, Sandra was an art specialist teacher in Philadelphia’s public schools and other places. During that time and through the present, she has explored her creative side and applied her passion for art by participating in dozens of local and national juried exhibitions.

Her artwork has been exhibited locally in the Philadelphia area, and nationally from as far as Washington State to New York to Florida. Sandra’s expressive and colorful paintings are in private collections and in public collections, such as the PNC Headquarters Tower in Pittsburgh, PA; Mondrian Investments (Philadelphia office); Bryn Mawr Dermatology offices in Villanova, PA; Corporate Offices in Conshohocken, PA. She is a member of Cerulean Gallery’s Cerulean Arts Collective in Philadelphia, PA.

Artist's Statement

In my artwork I use oil paint and pigment sticks on canvas, wood panels, and prepared paper. The amazing wonders in the world offer me enormous inspiration. My paintings are an expression and celebration of my passion for nature and all its splendor of color and variety. Layers of color, as well as juxtaposed hues, are used to create a visual energy that fascinates me. After working in a representational manner for many years, “little pieces of landscapes” began to mix in my artwork with true abstractions of color and texture.

For some time now, many of my images have been purely abstract, expressing in unabashed, exuberant color my enthusiasm for the natural world. I have also begun to investigate collage much more fully, by creating works on paper and other surfaces. Besides paint, crayon, and oil pastel, my collages use colored, textured papers, flyers, maps and such. Visits to Paris, the “City of Light,” and also to some exotic isles have provided many of the items I’ve used in my collages.

Frequently, as I’m working with color, unusual spatial relationships and somewhat quirky compositions manifest themselves, appealing to my visual sensibility. My paintings and collages result from a rather intuitive process, and they are built up layer upon layer, with varied colors, expressive strokes of paint, and textured materials. This procedure allows the gradual, but ultimately triumphant, emergence of my art. My artwork welcomes viewers to “enter” these “worlds” by imagination, memory, and reverie.

Selected Exhibitions

Solo
2016
Abstract Paintings, InLiquid at the Courtyard by Marriott, Philadelphia, PA

2013
Mixed Media Paintings, Christine Fréchard Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

2010
Calming Colors, Commerce 1 & 2, Philadelphia, PA

2008
Mixed Media Paintings, Balance Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2007
First Friday Main Line, Carol deYoung Boutique, Bryn Mawr, PA

Two-person
2010
Spring Painting Show, Abstract Expressions Contemporary Art Gallery, Mt. Holly, NJ
Invitational

Group
2016
The Creative Muse, The Crayola Gallery at The Banana Factory, Bethlehem, PA

In-VISIBLE, Point Park University Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
Juror: John Carson

Paintings Exhibition, Bryn Mawr Dermatology, Villanova, PA

2015
Artists Equity Fall Juried Show, Community Arts Center, Wallingford, PA
Juror: Michael Gallagher

116th Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Annual Juried Exhibition, PAFA Alumni Gallery, Historic Landmark Building, Philadelphia, PA

3rd Annual Juried Exhibition, Cerulean Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Elizabeth Osborne

Phila/Tri State Artists Equity 66th Anniversary Members’ Juried, Art Gallery at Franklin Commons, Phoenixville, PA
Juror: Marsha Moss

Art of Transformation, CCM Visual Arts Gallery, County College of Morris, Randolph, NJ

2015 Small Works, The N.A.W.A. Gallery, New York, NY

2014
Square Foot Art Basel Miami Redux, Projects Gallery, Miami, FL

Art in Residency, New Century Artists Gallery, Chelsea, New York, NY
Curator: Basha Maryanska

2014 Small Works, The N.A.W.A. Gallery, New York, NY

Secrets: 2014 Annual Juried Exhibition, GoggleWorks, Reading, PA
Juror: James Patrick Reid

Jewels and Treasures, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
Juror: Eileen Tognini

Philadelphia Community Exhibit, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

InLiquid’s Benefit V 13, The Ice Box Project Space, Philadelphia, PA

2013
HOME: GoggleWorks 2013 Juried Exhibition, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA

Artists Equity at Goggleworks, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA
Juror: Lisa Hanover

2012
Art Spirits: Phila/Tri State Artists Equity Fall Juried Show, Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts, Burlington, NJ
Juror: Fran Gallun

ART at Le Meridien: Featured Artist, Le Meridien Hotel, Philadelphia, PA

ARTsisters 12” x 12” Show, B Square Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Made You Look, Tyme Gallery, Havertown, PA

Plantscapes, three-person, Delaware Center for Horticulture, Wilmington, DE

2011
Artists Equity Select Exhibition, Fireside & McGinness Galleries, Main Line Unitarian Church, Devon, PA
Juror: Frank Hyder

Berks Art Alliance 34th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, The Reading Public Museum, Reading, PA

Inside Outside, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA
Juror: Bruce Samuelson

Works On Paper, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

2010
Diverse Horizons, Widener University, Chester, PA
Curator: Valetta

Fabric of Peace Quilt, The Regional Center for Women in the Arts, West Chester, PA

2009
Three-Person Fall Exhibition, The Gallery of Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA

Inliquid’s 10th Anniversary @ URBN, The Gallery at 543, Philadelphia, PA

Fine Art Show and Sale, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

Many Voices : Artsisters, Appel Gallery at Katz JCC, Cherry Hill, NJ

Annual Small Oils Show, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
Honorable Mention

Art Of The Flower, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

ARTsisters Juried Exhibit, The Art Trust at Meridian Bank, West Chester, PA

2008
Absolutely Abstract, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

The Green Exhibit, Art in City Hall, Philadelphia, PA

ARTsisters Anniversary Show, Tyme Gallery, Havertown, PA

The Gift Of Art, Viking Culinary Arts Center, Bryn Mawr, PA

Living With Art, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

Mid-Atlantic Regional Show, Redding Gallery, Wilmington, DE

2007
Works on Paper, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

Living With Art, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

144th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

Small Worlds, Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
3rd Prize

2006
Small Works Show, Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Absolutely Abstract, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

32nd Annual Juried Exhibition, Hopkins House Gallery, Haddon Township, NJ

Landscape Revisited, Betsey Meyer Memorial Exhibition, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

2005
Philadelphia Tri-State Artists Equity 56th Fall Exhibition, The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA
Juried Exhibition

The September Abstract Show, Minerva Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Juried Exhibition

Art of the State, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
Juried Exhibition

2004
Solitary Endeavors, Atelier Fine Art Gallery, Frenchtown, NJ
Juried Exhibition

2003
Art of the State, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
Juried Exhibition

Annual Open Juried Show, Delaware County Community College, Media, PA

Artist's Bibliography

2014
Wong, Wilson, “A.I.R. At New Century Gallery,” Gallery & Studio, Vol 16 No. 5, p.15

2011
“ABstract EXpressions Contemporary Art Gallery (Mt. Holly, NJ),” An Art Museum A Week

2008
Donohoe, Victoria, “ARTsisters member’ show at Tyme,” Philadelphia Inquirer, July 20, 2008

Professional Experience

1968 – 1986
Art Specialist Teacher, School District of Philadelphia

1976 – 1979
Art Teacher, Klein Branch JCC and Neighborhood Center, Philadelphia, PA

1975
Art Teacher, Old York Road Art Guild at Alverthorpe Manor, Abington, PA

Affiliations

Philadelphia Tri–State Artists Equity
Artist Member, Main Line Art Center
Artist Member, ARTsisters

Awards and Honors

partial list
Three Paintings selected for permanent installation at the PNC Tower in Pittsburgh, PA

2011
Mondrian Investment Partners Limited, London and Philadelphia, purchase two paintings, Philadelphia, PA

2009
Hamburg Memorial Award, Montgomery County Guild of Professional Artists Open, SPP Galleries, Conshohocken, PA

Honorable Mention, 146th Annual Small Oils Show, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

2007, 2006
Third Prize, Small Worlds, The Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA

2006
Merit Award, Art Of The Flower, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

Education

1973
Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Elkins Park, PA
M. Ed.

1968
Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Elkins Park, PA
BFA

Continuing Education

2000 – Present
Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
Periodic Critiques with master painter Moe Brooker

2012
Collage Workshop, National Collage Society, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA

1997
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Studio for Advanced Studies Program

1972
Philadelphia Board of Ed Summer Fellowship: study Ceramics, Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA

Recent Artist Member Mentions on InLiquid