“I’m not a street artist, I’m a fine artist - what I do on the street is Muralism, a reintroduction of an old art form that’s existed in societies for centuries.” Following a Fine Art degree at UCA, Canterbury, Ben moved to London at a time when interest in street art was gaining momentum. “As a young guy, in my mid twenties, Banksy spoke to me. It was exciting, and it inspired me to pick up my paintbrush again having become slightly disillusioned after my degree. I painted my first wall in Bristol and ever since then it’s just become what I do.” Working predominantly in black & white, Ben identifies the purpose of his work is to “reduce the silhouette to its most elegant and minimal state, while simultaneously embellishing its energy, depth and texture - a process which is as symbolic as it is aesthetic.” Aside from his exceptional technical ability, it's the meaningful stories behind Ben’s subjects that invest his work with even deeper significance – “they aren’t just pretty portraits, these are people that deserve to be immortalised.” This practice of memorial portraiture was galvanised by the death of a close friend and lively local character known as 'Brick Lane Billy'. Ben decided to paint a wall of remembrance to Billy, an opportunity that led him to other ordinary people whose unique stories he wanted to tell. Another of Ben’s most famous subjects is Charlie Burns, aka 'The King of Bacon Street'. A local East End legend, Burns founded Repton Boxing Club, experienced an audience with the Pope and rubbed shoulders with the infamous Kray Twins. Ben’s work has been shown internationally and is visible on the streets of London, Paris, Belgium, Italy, Ibiza, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami.