Arthur Benjamins | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 22, 1953 Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Known for | Painting, writing |
| Website | www.1pilgrimstudio.com |
Arthur Benjamins (born June 22, 1953) is a Dutch artist who has progressed from figurative motor sport paintings to Abstract Iconography, taking on the revival of Neoplasticism.
Benjamins comes from a lineage of artists. the paintings of his great grand uncle Jacques Jacob Arend (1908–1943) can be found in the museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam. His grandfather created a new style of advertising that formed the bedrock of modern illustrative adverts. Benjamins' early childhood was spent in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and from there he moved to Rotterdam in 1963 where, living on the busy Maas River, he began to develop his technical interest for the ships, dry docks and cranes. At a Ford showroom in Rotterdam in 1973, Arthur met the future Indianapolis 500 winner, Arie Luyendyk and reigning Formula One champion, Jackie Stewart who gave him encouragement and advice.
In 1974 Benjamins left for the UK. In the mid-1970s he became a BRSCC motorracing marshal, attending many races at his local track, Brands Hatch in Kent. This enabled him to observe first-hand many drivers like James Hunt, Nelson Piquet, and Nigel Mansell in the early part of their careers prior to becoming Grand Prix drivers and World champions.
In the early 1980s, Benjamins' evocation of key moments in motorsport much publicity through articles in motor racing magazines as Autosport , [1] Classic and Sportscar, [2] "Motorsport", [3] and Classic Boat [4] Benjamins' technique is different from other artists insofar in that he eschews the use of 'traditional' paints, preferring the far more trickier enamel paint.
From his first major exhibition at the rejuvenated 1983 Motor Sports Show at the Cunard Hotel in London, Benjamins' works were featured on 'News at Ten' on several occasions and in 1987 BBC motoring programme Top Gear featured him in a 6-minute slot.
About that time his interest in Land and Water Speed record breakers came to the fore. His first book jacket cover appeared on the cover of Power Boat Speed by Kevin Desmond which chronicled powerboating from 1896 onwards [5] One of his paintings appeared in the Italian version of Pilote Che Gente by Enzo Ferrari [6] and just before his death in 1988, Commendatore Ferrari presented Benjamins with a signed copy. In 1990, and with the full approval of Ken Norris, who designed the Bluebird car and boat in which Englishman, Donald Campbell broke many speed records, Benjamins set up Bluebird Publications to issue many of his record breaker prints. [7] [8] Other book jackets followed. Leap into Legend by Steve Holter, [9] Race against the Odds again by Kevin Desmond. [10] and "The British Are Coming, British Record Breaking and the people that made it Happen" by Mike Varndell (. [11] Benjamins has also evoked historic aviation scenes.
In recognition of his service to powerboating via his Speed record breaker paintings, in 2007 he was awarded the Heritage Motorboat Trophy [12]
In March 2018, Benjamins was awarded the honor of producing the artwork for the 30th Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee awards. [13] [14] [15] They induct between 6 and 10 people annually who have played very significant roles in aviation, boating and motor racing. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America used Benjamins' artwork for all publicity posters and yearbooks for this event. [16] Previous inductees include, Mario Andretti, Arie Luyendyk, Richard Petty, Howard Hughes, Bobby Allison, Rusty Wallace, Emerson Fittipaldi and many more. [17]
His first contact with the motorracing enthusiasts started in 1972 at a small Racing Car Show in the Netherlands, followed by shows in Zandvoort during their Grands Prix there. This is where he received encouragement from Formula One team bosses Ken Tyrrell , Teddy Mayer and driver Emerson Fittipaldi . A 1975 showing at the Whitechapel Art Gallery and a One-Man 1979 London exhibition allowed him to introduce both his motor racing and Science fantasy paintings and which culminated in exhibitions in Venice (Museum of Modern Art) and in Mdina , Malta . From 1983 he became a regular exhibitor at the British Racing Car Shows in London and Birmingham and at the Silverstone Coys festivals and Goodwood Festivals of Speed. In 1998 he had a one-man exhibition at the 'Napier Gallery' on Jersey. The show's patron was a Formula-1 sponsor and was officially opened by the Formula-1 team boss, Eddie Jordan. Since his US arrival, Arthur Benjamins has exhibited in Scottsdale, various Arizona Fine Art Expos. [18] Barrett-Jackson car auctions and various shows in Palm Springs, California. He currently teaches Neoplasticism for the 'Children's Art Program' at the Peoria (AZ) library. He was invited to support the American Healing Arts Foundation [19] for veterans by teaching Neoplasticism and with which he will continue.
In 2000, he embarked on a period of transition, culminating in a change of painting style which leans towards abstract. Motoring magazine Classic & Sports Car featured a two-page article on his new style. Since his move to Phoenix, Arizona, United States, in 2014, Benjamins continues as a'full-on' abstract art. He has hosted exhibitions in the UK, North America, in Venice, Malta, Jersey, Holland and, recently, also in Helsinki [20] From "Abstract Iconography", he is now reviving the Neo-plasticist style pioneered by his fellow countryman Piet Mondrian (1872–1944). [21]
His designs in the security world of 'closures', that are produced in their many millions, has set his name to eight patents. He has also worked for Formula-1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management as a designer before branching out as a freelance designer of bespoke accessories for motor cycles. He has also designed several fonts and typefaces.
He has also written his father's 181.000-word biography, To Die Fighting, which takes the reader through his father's early life, through Westerbork, Terezin, Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps and into his later years, covering life in Africa, enduring a sojourn through the war-torn Belgian Congo in search of millions of dollars worth of hidden diamonds. He also writes short stories which are part fiction and non-fiction
Autosport is a global motorsport publishing brand headquartered based in Richmond, London, England. It was established in 1950 at the same time as the origins of the Formula One World Championship.
Enzo Anselmo Giuseppe Maria Ferrari was an Italian motor racing driver and entrepreneur, the founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prix motor racing team, and subsequently of the Ferrari automobile marque. Under his leadership, Scuderia Ferrari won nine drivers' world championships and eight constructors' world championships in Formula 1 during his lifetime.
Joseph Gilles Henri Villeneuve was a Canadian racing driver, who competed in Formula One from 1977 to 1982. Villeneuve was runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1979 with Ferrari, and won six Grands Prix across six seasons.
Scuderia Ferrari, currently racing under Scuderia Ferrari HP, is the racing division of luxury Italian auto manufacturer Ferrari and the racing team that competes in Formula One racing. The team is also known by the nickname "The Prancing Horse", in reference to their logo. It is the oldest surviving and most successful Formula One team, having competed in every world championship since 1950.
Martini Racing is the name under which various motor racing teams race when sponsored by the Italian company Martini & Rossi, a distillery that produces Martini vermouth in Turin. Martini's sponsorship program began in 1958 as Martini International Club, founded by Count Metello Rossi di Montelera of Martini & Rossi. The race cars were marked with the distinctive dark blue, light blue and red stripes mostly on white or silver background body cars, but also red or green ones.
Didier Joseph Louis Pironi was a French racing driver and offshore powerboat racer, who competed in Formula One from 1978 to 1982. Pironi was runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1982 with Ferrari, and won three Grands Prix across five seasons. In endurance racing, Pironi won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 with Renault.
James Allen is a British former TV commentator and journalist who is the president, Motorsport Business, and F1 Liaison of Motorsport Network. He worked as Formula One commentator for ITV from 2000 to 2008, and subsequently as BBC Radio 5 Live's Formula One commentator, Formula One correspondent for the BBC and the Financial Times, and presenter for Ten Sport in Australia. He presents the podcast James Allen on F1 on the Autosport podcast network. Allen has been a trustee of the Grand Prix Trust, F1's benevolent fund, for over 25 years.
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) is hall of fame that honors motorsports competitors and contributors from the United States from all disciplines, with categories for Open Wheel, Stock Cars, Powerboats, Drag Racing, Motorcycles, Sports Cars, Aviation, at Large, Off-Road and Historic. Periodic recognition is given to specialty categories including Speed Records, Business and Technology. Its annual Induction Ceremony is attended by notables throughout the motorsports community and is reported on widely.
The Curb Agajanian Performance Group is an American motorsports team, currently competing as a co-entrant in IndyCar and IMSA. It is owned by record executive Mike Curb and racing personality Cary Agajanian; son of the late J. C. Agajanian, a race promoter and race car owner. It has fielded an IndyCar entry or co-entry in various races since 2001. Curb also was involved with NASCAR in both the Xfinity Series and Sprint Cup Series, owning Curb Racing from 1984 to 2011. Curb had several business partners in the NASCAR operation over the years, including Agajanian from 1998 to 2006.
Motorsport.tv is a global streaming OTT platform specialized in motor racing and motoring content, live and on demand launched in September 2018. It is a fully integrated video ecosystem developed and operated by Motorsport Network to specifically cater to different motor racing and automotive audiences.
Robert Geoffrey Verdon-Roe is a British racing driver who has raced in various formats of motor sport throughout his career. He has won Formula Renault, TVR Tuscan and Historic Formula One Championships.
Prema Racing, previously known as Prema Powerteam, is an Italian motorsport team. It operates in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and FIA Formula 3 Championship as well as various junior championships. In 2022 the team made its FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series entries, beginning the efforts in the endurance racing. The team was founded in 1983 and is located in Grisignano di Zocco, in the Veneto region. Prema has been a talent pool for several Formula 1 junior programs: from Toyota and Renault in the early days; to Alpine, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Williams in recent years. For 2023, the team will enter nine championships, fielding a total of 28 drivers. Prema is also set to participate in the IndyCar Series from 2025.
Zakary Challen Brown is an American businessman and former professional racing driver, currently residing in England. He is the chief executive officer of McLaren Racing. Born and raised in California, Brown raced professionally around the world for ten years before developing his skills in motorsport's business and commercial worlds.
The 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series was the seventh season of the Renault–supported single–seater category. It was the final season for the current Dallara chassis with Renault Sport Technologies having confirmed a new car for the 2012 season.
Ferrari Driver Academy is a driver development programme by the Formula One team Scuderia Ferrari to promote young talent within its own organisation, with several drivers being selected and funded by the team, while under long-term contracts. Over the years several Academy drivers have been promoted to Formula One: Charles Leclerc, Sergio Pérez, Lance Stroll, Mick Schumacher, Zhou Guanyu and Oliver Bearman.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to auto racing:
The FIA Formula 3 European Championship was a multi-event motor racing championship for open wheel, formula racing cars held across Europe. The championship featured drivers competing in 2-litre Formula Three Dallara single seat race cars that conform to the technical regulations for the championship. The 2013 season was the second edition of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship organized by the FIA. The season began at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on 23 March and finished on 20 October at Hockenheimring. The series formed part of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters meetings at seven triple header events, with other triple header events as part of the World Touring Car Championship, the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Superstars Series.
The 2014 GP2 Series season was the forty-eighth season of the second-tier of Formula One feeder championship and also tenth season under the GP2 Series moniker, a support series to the 2014 Formula One World Championship. Russian Time were the defending team champions.
Motorsport Network is an American media and technology company headquartered in Miami, Florida and London, UK. The company's proprietary brands, websites and OTT operations focus on motor racing and consumer automotive content serving and presenting content to audiences worldwide. The privately held business was founded in 2015 with the acquisition of Motorsport.com and now operates international digital, videogame, print, e-commerce & event businesses.
The 2021 British Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 18 July 2021 at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, England. It was the tenth round of the 2021 Formula One World Championship and also featured the first ever "sprint qualifying" event in F1 - a new format run on the Saturday of the race weekend over a distance of 100 kilometres (62 mi). 3 points were awarded to the winner of the Sprint, 2 to 2nd place and 1 to 3rd place. The results of the sprint qualifying decided the grid for the race on Sunday.
 |