CHASING THE WIND - BEN LUCAS
My aim as an artist is to express the sense of wonder, freedom, and joy that the sea instils in me. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the ocean. Growing up on the storm-swept coast of North Devon, surfing became a defining passion in my life. It has since taken me on a journey of discovery and exploration across the world’s oceans.
Ben Lucas has recently returned home after more than a decade spent painting and surfing in New Zealand and Australia. There he established himself as one of the leading painters of seascapes and the wild coastline, gaining a substantial following of collectors who share his passion for the sea.
Now back home in his fisherman's cottage in picturesque Appledore in North Devon he is adjusting to the rather fresher weather and different rhythms of the waves. From his garden studio he can see the wild sea which inspires him so much. Every day the mood and interplay of light on the water is different and it is that ever-changing beauty and power which he tries to encapsulate in his work. His paintings create a harmonious balance between dramatic, raw energy and a serene, ethereal calm, inviting the viewer to wonder at the power and beauty of the sea.
Ben is joined in this exhibition by Manchester artist Tom Musgrove whose paintings are rooted in human relationships that both challenge and console, and Hannah Bone from Totnes whose free-form landscapes of local scenes are anchored in a sense of belonging.
This is a beautifully curated exhibition introducing the work of three highly talented and innovative painters.
