Born part Cherokee…Ben Wright is an Artist of the West residing in Sedona, Arizona. Wright is less a history painter than a painter of historical forces, specifically the beliefs and mysticism of the North American Indian Tribes. He has been able to explore the depths of the ancient Plains cultures both visually and psychologically. This knowledge has shown him the new age of awareness and self-realization, the beliefs and guidance of the old ways still apply.
Balance, connectivity, and spirituality are attributes that Ben Wright strives for in this life and in his artwork. Again, being part Cherokee, Ben draws from Native American ceremony, symbolism, and tradition to attain them. Wright uses powerful imagery, juxtaposed with intensely bold colors, in combination with a sophisticated glazing technique to achieve these impressive creations.
Colors, numbers, and shapes play an integral and critical role in his work. In particular, the medicine wheel and the four directions of the wind i.e. north, south, east and west define aspects of self and teachings that are vital to the Plains Indians’ traditions. For example, the colors red, yellow, black and white in connection with the Medicine Wheel offers a spiritual and symbolic meaning to his work. Each color symbolizes the direction of the wind and the animal spirit whose attributes reflect its inner being.
Wright’s collectors are many and include corporate, museum and private collectors. Wright has been honored with serving as the first artist-in-residence at the Frederic Remington Museum in Ogdensburg, New York. Featured work has been published in Southwest Art Magazine, U.S. Art, Art Talk, and Sedona Monthly.
Breathe deeply and inhale a part of the past and present through the eye and soul of Ben Wright…
