1980s Sculptured Wall Hangings and Screenprints
Phillip Geraughty, Director of Genus Galleries, had the idea of producing a collection of original sculptured wall hangings by well-known artists using the traditional hand weaving techniques combined with modern craft technology. Two Benjamin screenprints were selected as designs to start the project.
Poltergiest, wall hanging, 1986, from the original limited edition 1970 screenprint
Benjamin travelled to the west coast of Ireland to work in direct contact with the skilled craftsmen who were using 100% pure wool dyed to the artist’s specifications. They were working with hand looping, tufting, and carving techniques to produce a variety of unusual tactile surface textures. He was pleased with the results and designed a larger piece; he cut Baskerville proofs up, collaging them into a design for a four-metre long wall hanging—Baskerville Kaleidoscope (below)—that had an engaging dynamic energy about it. Benjamin was delighted with the work that was exhibited at the Business Art Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, June 1987.
Baskerville Serif, wall hanging, 1986 (2.650 m × 1.850 m), from the original limited edition 1970 screenprint
Jersey Evening Post, March 12,1987. Photo showing Benjamin’s wall hangings being hung in the Berni Arts Centre, Jersey
Canton III, screenprint, 1987 (100 cm x 890 cm)
Baskerville Serif, 1970
Baskerville Serif, wall hanging, 1986 (2.650 m x 1.850 m), from the original limited edition 1972 screenprint
Pleased with the Benjamin works, Geraughty commissioned wall hangings from a diverse group of artists including Phillip Sutton, Derrick Greaves, Richard Allen, Suad Al Attar, and Rima Farah. These were shown in the Berni Gallery, at the Arts Centre in Jersey, and reviewed in the Jersey Evening Post , March 12, 1987… Pulling the wool over your eyes at the Arts Centre … Diane Simon wrote enthusiastically about Benjamin’s wall hangings as ‘vibrant and fresh in appearance … geometric pattern in rich beckoning colours which the onlooker feels distinctly comfortable with’.
Triptych, screenprints, Canton I, II, and III, 1987. Printed by Brad Faine at Coriander Studios
Canton I, screenprint, 1987 (100 cm x 80 cm)
Canton II, screenprint, 1987 (100 cm x 80 cm)
Untitled diptych screenprint,1987 (56 cm x 77 cm)
