A Life of Curiosity & Expression

THE EXHIBIT

Professor Emeritus William “Bill” Benson is fondly remembered by many as a man of enduring curiosity who had a special talent for finding commonalities and connections between concepts and people. In this exhibit, he provides us with diversity and curiosity, and within this variety a certain unity emits, calling the viewer to find the connections. As you observe each piece of his art, you may discover things that connect such as bridges, trees, and water.

Bill Benson’s passion was landscapes and nature as a subject matter, however, his curiosity also led him to explore a variety of subjects. His media specialty was printmaking, with emphasis on the technique of intaglio, but his adventurous nature led him to explore other printmaking techniques like aquatint, monoprint, lithography, serigraphy, and relief printing. He also explored painting techniques and media including watercolor, gouache, oil, and acrylic. He dabbled in collage, photography, and the rule of thirds capturing interesting vistas and visual points of interest. Later in his art career, Benson participated in University of Iowa “Foil Imaging” workshops over numerous summers.

During his thirty-year teaching career at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Benson’s roles spanned printmaking, design, art education classes, advisor, and published author. His artwork has been displayed at various university galleries and museums around the United States, and may be found in many private homes.