Based in Perth, Western Australia and spent many years traveling around the outback looking at the great scenery this place has to offer, the most formative experience of which was living in the northern Kimberley town of Kununurra for a large part of his childhood which lead him towards his chosen career path. Entirely self taught, Ben’s work endeavours to capture his surroundings in a realist manner while still maintaining some painterly aspects to his pieces.
Now working form his home studio in Kardinya, Ben has lately been focused on honing his skills outdoors painting plein-air, Ben’s current output has diverged into two paths – one maintaining a strong focus on painting local Perth scenes, whilst dedicating night time studio hours working on large format cloudscapes which take many months to complete.
Artist CV
Finalist 2019 Inaugural Royal Art Show for Landscape
First prize “Best overall work” 2018 City of Melville Art Awards
Finalist 2018 Inaugural Royal Art Show for Landscape
Finalist 2017 Inaugural Royal Art Show for Landscape
Finalist 2017 City of Claremont Art Award
Finalist in the 2016 Bluethumb Art Prize
Tied 2nd / 3rd place 2016 “Quick Draw 2 hour plein air paint off” Black Swan Prize for Portraiture
“Best work by City of Melville resident” 2016 City of Melville Art Awards
Organizer “Roasting Sessions” One-day Artists market at Roasting Warehouse 312 South Terrace, South Fremantle – over 15 Artist stalls on display, monthly sessions
Organizer “ArtMark 2014” One-day Artists market – 25 artist stalls in Westgate Mall, Adelaide terrace Fremantle
Studio residency in Fremantle Town Hall, 8 William street Fremantle, May 2013 – December 2015
Finalist 2013 Black Swan prize for Portraiture
Peoples Choice Award, 2012 City of Belmont Art Award
Peoples Choice Award, 2010 City of Belmont Art Award
Selected as one of 25 artisits to display work at Telethon Speech and Hearings “Young Artists with Attitude” exhibition , Burswood Intercontinental Hotel , June 2008
1st Prize “Work by Melville resident” 2008 Melville Art Awards
1st prize in oils , North Midlands Annual Art Exhibition 2002
Collection of 6 Limited Edition art prints in publication , stocking in multiple Perth Picture Framing stores since 2001
2004 – 2005 lectured short day courses for Challenger Tafe “Oils of Perth with Ben Sherar” for 5 terms running
Artist in residence- public studio at Point Heathcote , September 2004 – February 2007, open to visitors every Sunday
Begun painting 1994 , Self taught realist painter in oils
Exhibition List
2020 – Present
– Opened “High Street Gallery” with Kiya Kalem – 75a High Street Fremantle, open 10:30 – 4:30 Wednesdays to Sundays. Exclusive display of all new work.
2019
– “Ground to Sky” Joint Exhibition with Kiya Kalem and Peter Barker at The National Hotel “Staircase Gallery”, South Terrace Fremantle 4th September – 4th November
– “Liquid Silver Linings” Joint Exhibition with Kiya Kalem at Little Creatures Brewery, Mews Road Fremantle 13th June – 4th July
2018
– “Small Works” Joint Exhibition with Peter Barker, Andy Kent, David Green and Meath Conlan at Earlywork Gallery, South terrace South Fremantle 3rd August – 13th August
– First overall prize in 2018 City of Melville Art Awards
2017
– “Sunlit Scenes” Joint Exhibition with Peter Barker, Andy Kent and David Green at Kidogo Arthouse, Bather’s Beach Fremantle 22nd September – 27th September
– “On the Swan” Winter artists in residence at Tradewinds Hotel Restuarant – 59 Canning Hwy, East Fremantle, 11 new works depicting the Swan River 25th may – 27th September
2016
– First prize “Work by Melville resident” in 2016 City of Melville Art Awards
– “Written in the clouds” Exhibition of 17 new small format cloudscapes at Little Creatures Brewery, 40 Mews Road Fremantle
2015
– Organized and ran monthly “ArtMark” open air artisan markets co-ordinating and displaying the work of 120 local artists
– July 2nd – 26th portrait sketches at “Winter National” pop up bar, part of Fremantle’s “Winter Garden” Ice skating festival, for Childrens Starlight Foundation Charity as a fundraiser
2014
– Studio Exhibition at Fremantle Town Hall studio, 8 William street Fremantle
– November 24th begun running Pop-up Art markets in Fremantle, Western Australia, displaying the work of 30 local artists
2013
– solo exhibition / official studio opening at Fremantle Town Hall studio, 8 William street Fremantle
– solo exhibition “Subject Matters” at emerge ART SPACE 676A Beaufort street Mt Lawley
2011
– solo exhibition “If not for the dawn” at emerge ART SPACE 676A Beaufort street Mt Lawley
– Fifth annual “Garden Exhibition” in the artists garden
2010
– work purchased by City of Melville – 2010 City of Melville Art Awards
– People’s Choice Award – City of Belmont Annual Art Award
– solo exhibition “Concrete Reflections” at emerge ART SPACE 676A Beaufort street Mt Lawley
– Fourth annual “Garden Exhibition” in the artists garden
2009
– Third annual “Garden Exhibition” in the artists garden
2008
– First prize “Work by Melville resident” in 2008 Melville Art Awards
– “Scene in Freo” solo show at “Organic Royale” Essex street Fremantle
– Second annual “Garden Exhibition” in the artists garden
2007
– First annual “Garden Exhibition” in the artists garden
2006
– Joint exhibition with artist Don Brown , The Salt Store Gallery , Rottnest Island
– “Local Waters” Solo show Gallery 101 / WA club St Georges Terrace Perth
– Feature artist at Eagle Vale Estates “Jazz on the lawn” day . Showing of 12 new coastal works , hanging for a 2 month show
2005
– “Atmospheric” Solo show Little Creatures Brewery , Fremantle
– “Visions of Fremantle” Solo show Freight Gallery , Beach st Fremantle
2004
– Joint exhibition with artist Kris Keen , Old Royal George Gallery , East Fremantle