︎︎︎
exhibition
“I find it useful to consider my visual arts practice as a constellation of mirrors; reflecting aspects of the body, times, spaces & relationships I (have) inhabit(ed) - or - as world-making experiments, manifested through intuitive, erotic and esoteric methodologies, at the interstices of creation and destruction.”
- B.Sebastian
‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ at Herbert Read Gallery - Canterbury. Images courtesy of Herbert Read Gallery and the artist - 2024
For almost two decades, Sebastian’s visual art practice has been concerned with the ineffible qualities of being human, interpreted through their position as a queer, neurodivergent, British-Settler-Australian. Themes of desire, grief, longing, love, transition & transformation run thick through a visual language comprised of adornment, ceremony, assemblage and the making-special of things.
‘Benjamin Sebastian & Alicia Radage’ at VSSL Studio - London. Image courtesy of Marco Berardi, VSSL Studio & the artists - 2023
Quiet currents of occult workings permiate the majority of Sebastian’s objects and actions, most notably; the creation and destruction of symbols through both sigil craft and iconoclastic gestures.
‘3 Reflections²’ at the Institute of Contemporary Art - London. Images courtesy of Zack Mennell, FUTURERITUAL & the artist - 2021
Below is a crafted selection of Sebastian’s solo & group exhibition history, which can be navigated by clicking individual links or through endless scroll.
INDEX:
2024
2023
2022
2021
2019
2018
2017
• SOLO - Phoenix (2024) - CT20 (UK)
• SOLO - Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light - CT20 (UK)
• SOLO - Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light - Herbt Read Gallery (UK)
2023
• GROUP - Pretty Doomed (UK)
• GROUP - FACET (UK)
• GROUP - Benjamin Sebastian & Alicia Radage (UK)
2022
• GROUP - F U T U R E R I T U A L (UK)
2021
• SOLO - Working With Entities//Setting Intent (UK)
• GROUP - PSX: A Decade of Performance Art in the U.K. (UK)
2019
• GROUP - New Queers On The Block (UK)
• GROUP - Wienwoche: Purrr!_Femme!-ance! (AT)
• Folkestone Pride (UK)
• GROUP - NSA: A Queer Salon (UK)
• GROUP - FAT FEMME FURIOUS in Aktion (DE)
• GROUP - CREAURE Live Art (LT)
• GROUP - PornFilmFestivalVienna (AT)
2018
• GROUP - Body and Freedom Festival (CH)
• GROUP - Porn Film Festival Berlin (DE)
• SOLO - Becoming Constellation (UK)
• GROUP - Anhelo (UK)
2017
• SOLO - Becoming Constellation (UK)
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2010
2008
• GROUP - PS: The Future Is Now (UK)
• SOLO - Wolf (CZ)
• GROUP - Steakhouse Live Festival (UK)
• GROUP - Festival of Naked Forms (CZ)
• GROUP - Spider Festival (SI)
2015
• GROUP - Departing AKTION (UK)
• SOLO - Crossing (UK)
• GROUP - International Performance Art Evening II (DE)
• GROUP - LIEBE Performance Opera (DE)
2014
• GROUP - Venice International Performance Art Week (IT)
• SOLO - Phoenix (IT)
• GROUP - FWD Festival (Noseland Mikronation Galerie)
2013
• SOLO - My Pornographic Heart (UK)
• GROUP - Totem and Taboo (UK)
• SOLO - Phoenix (UK)
2012
• GROUP - IWY 09: QUEER HOME ECONOMICS (UK)
• GROUP - CREATURE Live Art (LT)
• SOLO - Ode To 26 (UK)
• GROUP - Aliens In New York (USA)
2010
• GROUP - Tension / Intervention / Restraint (UK)
2008
• GROUP - University of Lincoln Fine Art Degree Show (UK)
• GROUP - National Review of Live Art (UK, documentation coming soon)
Phoenix (2024)
2024
CT20 (Folkestone)
DURATION:
10mins
MATERIALS:
Body, sewn paper, cotton thread, hand sewn gold shorts, brass hand bell, gold bio-glitter, matches fire, ash.
ABOUT:
This iteration of Phoenix was a (re)performance as part of ‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ at CT20 in the frame of Last Fridays Folkestone.
CREDITS:
Video Documentation: Baiba Sprance and Marco Berardi. Funded by Arts Council England with support from CT20. Special thanks to Ash McNaughton.
DURATION:
10mins
MATERIALS:
Body, sewn paper, cotton thread, hand sewn gold shorts, brass hand bell, gold bio-glitter, matches fire, ash.
ABOUT:
This iteration of Phoenix was a (re)performance as part of ‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ at CT20 in the frame of Last Fridays Folkestone.
CREDITS:
Video Documentation: Baiba Sprance and Marco Berardi. Funded by Arts Council England with support from CT20. Special thanks to Ash McNaughton.
Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light
CT20 - Folkestone - 2024
‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ - Installation view at CT20, Folkestone - Photographed by Matteo Cortés - 2024
Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light
1st of November - 1st of Decmber, 2024 - CT20 - Folkestone
➣ List of Works
➣ Extended exhibition text by Jane Scarth
This predominantly new body of work by Benjamin Sebastian confronts their ancestral implication in violent structures of settler-colonialism, while holding space for a spiritually expansive understanding of our relationship to the world around us and the forces that shape it through multiple forms of coloniality. This exhibition reveals a visual language of stitch, pattern, symbolism and hybridity, developed to unravel complex personal and political histories.
1st of November - 1st of Decmber, 2024 - CT20 - Folkestone
➣ List of Works
➣ Extended exhibition text by Jane Scarth
This predominantly new body of work by Benjamin Sebastian confronts their ancestral implication in violent structures of settler-colonialism, while holding space for a spiritually expansive understanding of our relationship to the world around us and the forces that shape it through multiple forms of coloniality. This exhibition reveals a visual language of stitch, pattern, symbolism and hybridity, developed to unravel complex personal and political histories.
‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ - Installation view at CT20, Folkestone - Photographed by Molly Clark - 2024
‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ - Installation view at CT20, Folkestone - Photographed by Molly Clark - 2024
‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ - Installation view at CT20, Folkestone - Photographed by Molly Clark - 2024
‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ - Installation view at CT20, Folkestone - Photographed by Molly Clark - 2024
Public Programme:
In conversation with Serpentine Galleries Exhibitions Curator, Tamsin Hong. Documented by Studio MaBa (Baiba Sprance & Marco Berardi) - 2024
Re-performance of ‘Phoenix’ at CT20. Documented by Studio MaBa (Baiba Sprance & Marco Berardi) - 2024
In conversation with Serpentine Galleries Exhibitions Curator, Tamsin Hong. Documented by Studio MaBa (Baiba Sprance & Marco Berardi) - 2024
Re-performance of ‘Phoenix’ at CT20. Documented by Studio MaBa (Baiba Sprance & Marco Berardi) - 2024
Acknowledgements
Benjamin Sebastian was raised on the stolen lands of the Djabugay and Yidinji peoples and pays respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
This exhibition is made possible with National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England and will tour to Gallery 1853, Oldham (4th April – 2nd May 2025) and VSSL Studio, London (Summer 2025) with further venues to be announced.
Benjamin would like to sincerely thank Ash McNaughton, Mine Kaplangı, Matteo Cortés, Bean, Jane Scarth, Marco Berardi, Baiba Sprance, Anna Marsland, Justin Hunt, Molly Clark, Robyn Ellen, John Chandler, Ant The Elder and the creative teams at Tanks Arts Centre, Gallery 1853, VSSL Studio, Hebert Read Gallery, Cooke’s Framing, FUTURERITUAL and CT20 - without whose input, support and collaboration, this exhibition would not have been possible.
Related Media
➣ Read Sebastian’s recent interview with ArtVerge HERE
Benjamin Sebastian was raised on the stolen lands of the Djabugay and Yidinji peoples and pays respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
This exhibition is made possible with National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England and will tour to Gallery 1853, Oldham (4th April – 2nd May 2025) and VSSL Studio, London (Summer 2025) with further venues to be announced.
Benjamin would like to sincerely thank Ash McNaughton, Mine Kaplangı, Matteo Cortés, Bean, Jane Scarth, Marco Berardi, Baiba Sprance, Anna Marsland, Justin Hunt, Molly Clark, Robyn Ellen, John Chandler, Ant The Elder and the creative teams at Tanks Arts Centre, Gallery 1853, VSSL Studio, Hebert Read Gallery, Cooke’s Framing, FUTURERITUAL and CT20 - without whose input, support and collaboration, this exhibition would not have been possible.
Related Media
➣ Read Sebastian’s recent interview with ArtVerge HERE
Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light
Herbert Read Gallery - Canterbury - 2024
‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ - Installation view at Herbert Read Gallery, Canterbury - Image courtesy of the artist - 2024
Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light
12 September - 19 October, 2024 - Herbert Read Gallery - Canterbury
➣ List of Works
➣ Extended exhibition text by Jane Scarth
Public Programme:
➣ Artist Talk - 1pm, Thurs. 3rd of October - Herbert Read Gallery/UCA, Canterbury.
➣ Workshop - 2:30pm, Thurs. 3rd of October - Herbert Read Gallery/UCA, Canterbury.
This predominantly new body of work by Benjamin Sebastian confronts their ancestral implication in violent structures of settler-colonialism, while holding space for a spiritually expansive understanding of our relationship to the world around us and the forces that shape it through multiple forms of coloniality. This exhibition reveals a visual language of stitch, pattern, symbolism and hybridity, developed to unravel complex personal and political histories.
12 September - 19 October, 2024 - Herbert Read Gallery - Canterbury
➣ List of Works
➣ Extended exhibition text by Jane Scarth
Public Programme:
➣ Artist Talk - 1pm, Thurs. 3rd of October - Herbert Read Gallery/UCA, Canterbury.
➣ Workshop - 2:30pm, Thurs. 3rd of October - Herbert Read Gallery/UCA, Canterbury.
This predominantly new body of work by Benjamin Sebastian confronts their ancestral implication in violent structures of settler-colonialism, while holding space for a spiritually expansive understanding of our relationship to the world around us and the forces that shape it through multiple forms of coloniality. This exhibition reveals a visual language of stitch, pattern, symbolism and hybridity, developed to unravel complex personal and political histories.
‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ - Installation view at Herbert Read Gallery, Canterbury - Image courtesy of the artist - 2024
‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ - Installation view at Herbert Read Gallery, Canterbury - Image courtesy of the artist - 2024
‘The Seemingly Innocent Are Not Without Danger’ (detail) - calico, cotton thread, silver gelatin photographic print, reconstructed nylon flag - W:26 x H:18cm - 2024
‘Taut’ (detail) - calico, cotton thread, inkjet print on calico, reconstructed nylon flag, tin eyelets - W:35 x H:20cm - 2024
Acknowledgements
Benjamin Sebastian was raised on the stolen lands of the Djabugay and Yidinji peoples and pays respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
This exhibition is made possible with National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England and tours to CT20, Folkestone (1st - 29th November 2024), Gallery 1853, Oldham (4th April – 2nd May 2025) and VSSL Studio, London (Summer 2025) with further venues to be announced.
Benjamin would like to sincerely thank Ash McNaughton, Mine Kaplangı, Matteo Cortés, Bean, Jane Scarth, Marco Berardi, Baiba Sprance, Anna Marsland, Justin Hunt, Molly Clark, Robyn Ellen, John Chandler, Ant The Elder and the creative teams at Tanks Arts Centre, Gallery 1853, VSSL Studio, Hebert Read Gallery, Cooke’s Framing, FUTURERITUAL and CT20 - without whose input, support and collaboration, this exhibition would not have been possible.
Related Media:
➣ Press Release
➣ Read Sebastian’s recent interview with ArtVerge HERE
➣ Listen to Sebastian’s recent conversation with Studio & Gallery 1853 and KUPOD for their Our Art Podcast HERE
Benjamin Sebastian was raised on the stolen lands of the Djabugay and Yidinji peoples and pays respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
This exhibition is made possible with National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England and tours to CT20, Folkestone (1st - 29th November 2024), Gallery 1853, Oldham (4th April – 2nd May 2025) and VSSL Studio, London (Summer 2025) with further venues to be announced.
Benjamin would like to sincerely thank Ash McNaughton, Mine Kaplangı, Matteo Cortés, Bean, Jane Scarth, Marco Berardi, Baiba Sprance, Anna Marsland, Justin Hunt, Molly Clark, Robyn Ellen, John Chandler, Ant The Elder and the creative teams at Tanks Arts Centre, Gallery 1853, VSSL Studio, Hebert Read Gallery, Cooke’s Framing, FUTURERITUAL and CT20 - without whose input, support and collaboration, this exhibition would not have been possible.
Related Media:
➣ Press Release
➣ Read Sebastian’s recent interview with ArtVerge HERE
➣ Listen to Sebastian’s recent conversation with Studio & Gallery 1853 and KUPOD for their Our Art Podcast HERE
Pretty Doomed
2023
Ugly Duck (London)
Group Exhibition
ARTISTS:
Niya B, Mustafa Boğa, Nicky Broekhuysen, Elija Grybe, Nilbar Güreş, Chris Hawkes, Şafak Şule Kemancı, Tina Kohlmann, Adam Moore, Mitchell Moreno, Katarzyna Perlak, Alicia Radage, Sophie Seita, Victoria Suvoroff, Erdem Taşdelen, Funa Ye, ]performance s p a c e [ archive (keioui keijaun thomas, Bean), Benjamin Sebastian, Özlem Ünlü, Youngsook Choi, Tuna Erdem, Istanbul Queer Art Collective, Francis Whorrall-Campbell, Imogen Cleverley, Puer Deorum, Abigail McGinley, Erin Holly, Anya Palamartscuk, Magda Onatra, Ruiji Han, Hazel Blair, H. Alix Mourrier, Kasra Jalilipour, Feryel Atek, Susannah Pal, Rowan R, Peggy Huang, Daniel Felstead, Muzi, Finn Dovey, Bart Seng Wen Long, Yiwen Li, Chaney Diao, Juliusz Grabianski, Laura Kazaroff, Thom Grog, Pamela Enyonu.
ABOUT:
“Pretty Doomed has emerged from the intricate interplay of various emotions: the feelings of doom, unsustainability, exhaustion, and financial constraint juxtaposed with the sensations of fabulousness, queerness, vitality, and alignment with our core values. Our aim is to scrutinise the sustainability of our art community, explore new economic possibilities, foster mutual support, and extend an invitation to audiences, collectors, and friends to discover artists and their works, potentially making acquisitions. ‘Pretty Doomed’ will feature a group exhibition in the format of an art fair where each artworks will be on sale and a three-day program of performances, artist talks, discussions & conversations, and film screenings.”
CREDITS:
Pretty Doomed was curated & produced by Ugly Duck and Queer Art Projects, with support from VSSL Studio (financially support by Arts Council England) and contributions from ]performance s p a c e [.
Photographic and video documentation by Marco Berardi and Baiba Sprance.
Special thanks to Mine Kaplangi, Ash McNaughton, Tuna Erdem, Seda Ergu & Gozde Altun.
Group Exhibition
ARTISTS:
Niya B, Mustafa Boğa, Nicky Broekhuysen, Elija Grybe, Nilbar Güreş, Chris Hawkes, Şafak Şule Kemancı, Tina Kohlmann, Adam Moore, Mitchell Moreno, Katarzyna Perlak, Alicia Radage, Sophie Seita, Victoria Suvoroff, Erdem Taşdelen, Funa Ye, ]performance s p a c e [ archive (keioui keijaun thomas, Bean), Benjamin Sebastian, Özlem Ünlü, Youngsook Choi, Tuna Erdem, Istanbul Queer Art Collective, Francis Whorrall-Campbell, Imogen Cleverley, Puer Deorum, Abigail McGinley, Erin Holly, Anya Palamartscuk, Magda Onatra, Ruiji Han, Hazel Blair, H. Alix Mourrier, Kasra Jalilipour, Feryel Atek, Susannah Pal, Rowan R, Peggy Huang, Daniel Felstead, Muzi, Finn Dovey, Bart Seng Wen Long, Yiwen Li, Chaney Diao, Juliusz Grabianski, Laura Kazaroff, Thom Grog, Pamela Enyonu.
ABOUT:
“Pretty Doomed has emerged from the intricate interplay of various emotions: the feelings of doom, unsustainability, exhaustion, and financial constraint juxtaposed with the sensations of fabulousness, queerness, vitality, and alignment with our core values. Our aim is to scrutinise the sustainability of our art community, explore new economic possibilities, foster mutual support, and extend an invitation to audiences, collectors, and friends to discover artists and their works, potentially making acquisitions. ‘Pretty Doomed’ will feature a group exhibition in the format of an art fair where each artworks will be on sale and a three-day program of performances, artist talks, discussions & conversations, and film screenings.”
CREDITS:
Pretty Doomed was curated & produced by Ugly Duck and Queer Art Projects, with support from VSSL Studio (financially support by Arts Council England) and contributions from ]performance s p a c e [.
Photographic and video documentation by Marco Berardi and Baiba Sprance.
Special thanks to Mine Kaplangi, Ash McNaughton, Tuna Erdem, Seda Ergu & Gozde Altun.
Facet
2023
VSSL Studio (London)
Group Exhibition
ARTISTS:
Alicia Radage, Benjamin Sebastian, Rocío Boliver, June Lam, Marcin Gawin
ABOUT:
FACET serves as a window into the non-homogeneity of expanded queer experience, allowing for multifaceted readings of contemporary LGBTQIA* life, expression & identification. Through a variety of mediums such as performance (to camera), sculpture, video, photography, and installation - the exhibition offers a comprehensive and captivating look into the breadth of artistic approaches explored across VSSL Studios greater exhibition programme of 2023/24, showcasing the unique perspectives of each participating artist and the interconnectedness expanded queer experiences.
CREDITS:
Curated by VSSL Studio. Video & photographic Documentation by Baiba Sprance and Marco Berardi. Curatorial support from Ash McNaughton and Mine Kaplangi. Funded by Arts Council England.
Group Exhibition
ARTISTS:
Alicia Radage, Benjamin Sebastian, Rocío Boliver, June Lam, Marcin Gawin
ABOUT:
FACET serves as a window into the non-homogeneity of expanded queer experience, allowing for multifaceted readings of contemporary LGBTQIA* life, expression & identification. Through a variety of mediums such as performance (to camera), sculpture, video, photography, and installation - the exhibition offers a comprehensive and captivating look into the breadth of artistic approaches explored across VSSL Studios greater exhibition programme of 2023/24, showcasing the unique perspectives of each participating artist and the interconnectedness expanded queer experiences.
CREDITS:
Curated by VSSL Studio. Video & photographic Documentation by Baiba Sprance and Marco Berardi. Curatorial support from Ash McNaughton and Mine Kaplangi. Funded by Arts Council England.
B.Sebastian & A.Radage
2023
VSSL Studio (London)
Joint Exhibition
ARTISTS:
Alicia Radage, Benjamin Sebastian
ABOUT:
“While distinct in formal approaches, their practices enact a convergence at the thresholds of esoteric, spiritual and more-or-other-than-human domains and utterances. The exhibition will showcase existing works by Radage and Sebastian, presented in dialogue with each other to reveal the underlying connections between their practices. The show's curatorial approach seeks to highlight the artists shared interest in alternative ontologies and their ongoing exploration of more-or-other-than-human perspectives. Through this joint exhibition, Radage and Sebastian invite audiences on a journey to reimagine our relationships with the seen and un-seen (as well as known and unknown) world(s), so that we may continue to consider alternative ways of being.”
CREDITS:
Curated by VSSL Studio. Video & photographic Documentation by Baiba Sprance and Marco Berardi. Written Documentation by Lisa Slominski. With curatorial support from Ash McNaughton and Mine Kaplangi. Funded by Arts Council England.
Joint Exhibition
ARTISTS:
Alicia Radage, Benjamin Sebastian
ABOUT:
“While distinct in formal approaches, their practices enact a convergence at the thresholds of esoteric, spiritual and more-or-other-than-human domains and utterances. The exhibition will showcase existing works by Radage and Sebastian, presented in dialogue with each other to reveal the underlying connections between their practices. The show's curatorial approach seeks to highlight the artists shared interest in alternative ontologies and their ongoing exploration of more-or-other-than-human perspectives. Through this joint exhibition, Radage and Sebastian invite audiences on a journey to reimagine our relationships with the seen and un-seen (as well as known and unknown) world(s), so that we may continue to consider alternative ways of being.”
CREDITS:
Curated by VSSL Studio. Video & photographic Documentation by Baiba Sprance and Marco Berardi. Written Documentation by Lisa Slominski. With curatorial support from Ash McNaughton and Mine Kaplangi. Funded by Arts Council England.
3 Reflections²
2022
Institute of Contemporary Art (London)
DURATION:
3 hrs
MATERIALS:
Voice, Live recorded sound, Revolving platform, Tattoo kit, Body Jewellery, Mirrored fetish hood, Black lycra bondage hood, Black lace fetish hood, Soil, Candles, Tin bowl, Matches, Fire, Chrome cock cage, Lighter fluid, Wall mirror
ABOUT:
"This work seeps slowly, requesting patience, reflection, vision & vulnerability from both you and I. Repetitive actions loop on themselves again and again. Across three hours; three full cycles will be completed. Voice, light, language, adornment and a breaking of the skin; will be used in an attempt to temporarily bridge interiority and exteriority, the proximate and distant - the past, present & future. Alone, together - .ɿoɿɿim ɿυoγ mɒ I"
CREDITS:
Photographic Documentation: Zack Mennell. Video Documentation: Baiba Sprance and Marco Berardi. Written Documentation: Daniela Valz Gen (available here). 3 Reflections² was commissioned by FUTURERITUAL for the Institute of Contemporary Arts. With support from Ash McNaughton and in collaboration with Ant The Elder.
DURATION:
3 hrs
MATERIALS:
Voice, Live recorded sound, Revolving platform, Tattoo kit, Body Jewellery, Mirrored fetish hood, Black lycra bondage hood, Black lace fetish hood, Soil, Candles, Tin bowl, Matches, Fire, Chrome cock cage, Lighter fluid, Wall mirror
ABOUT:
"This work seeps slowly, requesting patience, reflection, vision & vulnerability from both you and I. Repetitive actions loop on themselves again and again. Across three hours; three full cycles will be completed. Voice, light, language, adornment and a breaking of the skin; will be used in an attempt to temporarily bridge interiority and exteriority, the proximate and distant - the past, present & future. Alone, together - .ɿoɿɿim ɿυoγ mɒ I"
CREDITS:
Photographic Documentation: Zack Mennell. Video Documentation: Baiba Sprance and Marco Berardi. Written Documentation: Daniela Valz Gen (available here). 3 Reflections² was commissioned by FUTURERITUAL for the Institute of Contemporary Arts. With support from Ash McNaughton and in collaboration with Ant The Elder.
