Ben Mobbs (b. Benjamin John Ure Mobbs), 1989 in Brighton, England) is an artist working primarily in fine art, design and music, typically combining media and incorporating elements of performance and audience interaction.

As a fine artist Ben's installation work is informed by an interest in sound in relation to space, its relationship with human psychology, especially sensory perception and a sense of play, and the crossover between art and music discourses. He is also a painter, sculptor and musician/composer with discourses in film, animation and photography.

Some elements of Ben's multisensory artwork reflects on lifelong autism and other hyper or hypo-active neurological and psychological states, such as heightened anxiety in response to environmental and social stimulus that affect people in varying yet comparable ways, exploring the full range of human condition. The interactive installations tend to draw individuals' attention to being present and alert when together with, in some cases, overbearing living artworks, that respond to the audience and the space they are situated in, instead of being merely transported (or "hung") there, creating a dialogue.

For example, some artworks are electronically programmed, configured or composed differently for the space or presence of other artworks. In this way, Ben aims to simultaneously raise awareness for contemporaneous space (the "here and now"), matter and the experience of the body in a holistic sense;- to work in tandem with other artworks, make each intervention with space unique, and move away from the objet d'art to instead focus on experience instead of things with a fixed meaning. Because of this, some artworks can only exist and occur once; otherwise, the work and focus on the experience is nullified and undone. Ben thoroughly believes that the audience completes the work, that is, it has no meaning without a willing (or unwitting) participant. Therefore, it is often more accurate to place Ben's work in the field of performance than most visual art, although there is usually some overlap owing to Ben's mixed practice.

Exhibitions are often observed as social experiences with small groups responding very differently or communally to art apparatuses. Visitors are encouraged to record and share their experiences and interactions and to take advantage of opportunities to experience these occasions.



Ben's hybrid traditional art and technical background enables developing interactive artworks within the contemporary gallery context or public art spaces, often implementing computers and real-time motion detection. His exhibitions have been described as "exciting", "innovative", "imaginative" and "intriguing" by scholars and critics. These are normally built especially and exhibited in groups shows and festivals in the South of England, such as in London & Brighton, to allow small groups to experience them.

Ben explores critical observations of society through drawing and painting work, additionally using photography, field recordings and drawing as tools to research and develop ideas.

A passion for interactive and digital media in Web development, video games, film & animation production contributes to a broad interdisciplinary arts skillset.

Prints and originals sold into private collections in a range of formats, including limited edition fabric and garment prints; artwork is generally sold directly or commissioned. To purchase work, please contact Ben directly.

Ben is also an accomplished musician studying the classical guitar for some 25 years, later electric guitar, performing as a guitarist solo and typically in the group TBS, producing a plethora of avant-garde & experimental post-rock or art rock material with many collaborators. Ben plans to release hundreds of hours of material over several years and does not generally produce EPs or albums, so watch this space.

Graduate of BA(Hons) Arts & Media (Fine Art) at University for the Creative Arts.

In 2014 Ben opened shop trading as BJUM (Benjamin John Ure Mobbs, after his grandfathers, each a self-made architect and interior designer), a design & fabrication studio based in Lewes, specialising in sign-making, engraving, glass etching, garment printing and other merchandising/commercial processes. For more info visit BJUM Design & Make.



Current Exhibitions
Prints available at seasonal artist/maker fairs - check BJUM social media.

Past Exhibitions
The London ULTRA @ Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, London. 31 October - 10 November 2019
www.oxotower.co.uk/events/the-london-ultra-2019/

The Art Cupboard @ Artwave Festival, Lewes. 19th August - 3rd September 2017
www.artwavefestival.org

PUNCTURE @ Vyner Street Gallery, London, 26-30th June 2012
www.artrabbit.com/events/puncture-1

Milk Money @ The Gallery In Redchurch Street, London, 17th-22nd July 2012
www.artrabbit.com/events/milk-money

Links

LinkedIn CV/Profile: uk.linkedin.com/in/benmobbs

T-Shirt, vinyl decal & glass designs on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/BJUMuk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/benmobbsart

Footage of installations & video work at vimeo.com/benmobbs

Listen at soundcloud.com/benmobbs

and

soundcloud.com/tbsbrighton

Contact

Follow on Twitter @BenMobbs

E-mail ben at benmobbs dot com

All content Copyright © Ben Mobbs 2005-2020