Angelique Benicio, known for her haunting and surreal allegorical tales, has had one of her compelling works titled, "Mary Shelly", acquired by The Bennett Collection. Steven Alan Bennett purchased the piece as a gift for his wife, Elaine Melotti Schmidt, knowing her appreciation for depictions of mothers and children.
The painting, a modestly sized work that caught Bennett's eye, perfectly encapsulates Benicio’s signature style of exploring vulnerability and hidden secrets. It features a mother and child looking at a book filled with monsters and dinosaurs. The child is depicted grasping the mother’s arm, a tender gesture that adds a layer of realism to the mysterious scene.
Adding an "a little creepy" touch that Benicio is known for, the tail of a monster, which approximates those found within the book’s pages, is shown creeping in from the edge of the canvas. This element heightens the painting's tension, positioning the characters "on the brink of some magical transformation, or encounter an animal or being from another world, or sense some invisible threat."
Benicio, an award-winning painter, sculptor, and performance artist with international exhibitions and diverse experience in cinema set décor and special effects, brings a rich background to her prolific output. Her ability to blend the heartwarming theme of maternal connection with a subtle, surreal sense of unease results in a "terrific" piece that fits seamlessly into The Bennett Collection’s focus on figurative realism.
The acquisition of this piece not only highlights Benicio’s talent but also underscores The Bennett Collection's commitment to showcasing thought-provoking contemporary art that tells powerful stories. See more about Benicio HERE.