14 | Looking Forward

Mural  |  Benjamin Duke  |  East Lansing, MI

About This Installation

I have recently been seeking mural projects because I discovered that I love to work at scale. Everything about it is great, climbing up and down scaffolding in the heat of the day. The smell of the paint, the constant need to stay hydrated. I am also excited by the prospect of translating my imagery, my paintings into large scale murals. To see my paintings building sized. I also enjoy the collaboration involved when working in the Public Art space, working on these projects has allowed me to feel like I can contribute to the communities I have worked in. It allows for a very different kind of interaction with the people that live there, spend their time there. I have enjoyed the interaction and spontaneous conversations that I have had, I hope I can contribute something of value to the people who pass by the murals each day.

I seek to create an image that could appeal to viewers of all ages and enhance the art path with a mural that is narrative yet not directly illustrative or overt. I would hope that the mural would continue to reveal a layered narrative upon multiple passes as its location along a walking path allows. I seek to create something colorful and imaginative, to hopefully brighten peoples day as they walk to the farmers market or commute by bicycle.

Artist Bio

Benjamin Swallow Duke was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and grew up in Utah. He studied Literature, Philosophy, and Art at the University of Utah receiving his BFA in 2002. He received his Master of Fine Arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore Hoffberger School of Painting and has been teaching painting and drawing at Michigan State University since 2006. Duke has had numerous Solo, and Group shows at the national and international level including at the Fitton Art Center in Hamilton, Ohio, “Weak Painting Group,” exhibitions at The Kuandu Museum of Fine Art in Taipei and Da Xiang Art Space in Taichung City, Taiwan, and Several Solo exhibitions at Ann Nathan Gallery in Chicago. Duke’s work is represented by Gallery Victor Armendariz, a well-established and respected downtown Chicago Gallery with a focus on contemporary realism. Duke has also been awarded international residencies at Bamboo Curtain Studios, Taiwan from May to July 2009, and The Kuandu Museum of Fine Art from December 2009 through January 2010 at Taipei National University of the Arts, the premier Art University in Taiwan. A Catalogue entitled: Benjamin Duke 2001-2010: Ten Years of Work with essays by Brian Kubarycz, a scholar of contemporary literature, and Su YuAnn, an independent curator and critic, was published by Garden City Publishing in June 2010.

Find On The Trail - Site 14

Under the Shiawassee Bridge - West Side of the Grand River

We are crossing the river and extending ArtPath to the West side of the Grand River. A short walking distance from the beautifully restored 1930s power plant which is now home to the AF group is the Shiawassee Bridge. This location will house three murals.

This location is made possible in part by generous contributions from:
Brian Whitfield & Keith Rouse

ArtPath is generously supported by our title sponsors The Rathbun Insurance and Auto-Owners Insurance. With additional support by:

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Michigan Economic Development Corporation & Patronicity