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Soulcraft photographing Muirina Fae
Screen Shot 2018-09-30 at 10.32.06 PM.jp

Soulcraft

Noun

  1. An activity that is nourishing to the soul; particularly fulfilling work or other activity

  2. Something that shapes and modifies one's soul or core being

  3. (My own interpretation) The body or vessel within which the soul travels and expresses itself during its journey through life

       The human figure is often recognized as the most complex and challenging form studied by visual artists. The figure is essentially an extraordinarily complex system of forms that can be subdivided into smaller and smaller forms. Each of these has a nearly infinite potential of variation but the fundamental structure is the same in all bodies, and in nearly all living vertebrates. Within each of these forms is another focus of observation and understanding. 

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        Studying the human figure as a traditional artist is an undertaking that lasts for many years. During my practice, I came to the sudden revelatory realization and eventual conclusion that the feminine figure is unequivocally one of the highest forms of natural art. Those that practice the arts are all within a spectrum of discovering this. 

 

        In regards to the mastery of visual arts, the likeness of the feminine is quite a challenge. Where the masculine form often lacks elegance; In its range of expressions it is rigid, bold, and course like a mountain. Whereas the feminine flows, delicate and dynamic as the ever-changing wind itself. Consider the fact that there’s an incredible subtlety to the forms of the human body that emphasizes a certain visual math.

 

        During the focused study of the figure, occasionally one may enter a flow state in which perception begins to widen and clarity emerges. Form reveals itself like a language; a recognition of the repeated framework and proportions of the figure emerges. Flowing curves and delicate angles, almost imperceptible nuances that seem to whisper the silent names of the elements. These "whispers" are the same subtleties found in the intricate forms of nature, expressed in its forces, even in moments of jagged and unforgiving dissonance. When juxtaposed, these harmonies and contrasts celebrate the human form. Within the movements of the muse, a dance of mind and body, is the reflection of nature incarnate and a glimpse of the soul.

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         This is a continuation of my soulcraft through a new medium, photography. Thank you for sharing the view. 

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-Benjamin Sumner Franke

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Soulcraft gallery exhibition

 Exhibitions: 

 

       2019

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  • Solo, Valid World Hall - Barcelona, Spain - 1/25-27

  • Minimalism, MIA Photo Fair - Milan, Italy - 3/21

  • Beautiful Imperfections, Hinterlands Gallery - Vienna, Austria - 3/28

  • Centered, BBA Gallery - Berlin, Germany - 4/18-20/2019

  • Monochrome, Ravnikar Gallery - Ljubljana, Slovenia - 5/10-12

  • Mostly Black, BBA Gallery - Berlin, Germany - 5/30-6/1

  • Powerful Compositions, BBA Gallery - Berlin, Germany - 7/19-21

  • Beautiful Imperfections, Qlick Gallery - Amsterdam, Netherlands - 7/26-28

  • Street Photography, Photosynthesis Gallery - Sophia, Bulgaria - 8/1-3

  • My Favorite Shot, BBA Gallery- Berlin, Germany - 9/6-8

  • Solo, Ravnikar Gallery - Ljubljana, Slovenia - 9/27-29

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       2020

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  • Ritual, Haven Gallery - Northport, New York - 12/14/2019-1/12

  • 2019 Exhibition - Contemporary Art Gallery Online - 12/31/2019-1/31

  • 2020 Philippines LomoWall Exhibition, Baluartillo de San Francisco Javier, Fort Santiago, Intramuros - January

  • My Favorite Shot, Ravnikar Gallery, Ljubljana, Slovenia - 1/9-1/11

  • Storytelling, Hinterland Galerie - Vienna, Austria - 1/23-25

  • Minimalism, Valid World Hall - Barcelona, Spain - 2/14-16

  • Photographer Of The Year, Espaço Espelho d'Água - Lisbon, Portugal - 2/21-2/23

  • The Beauty of Earth, Blank Wall Gallery - Athens, Greece - 2/28-3/1

  • Creative Composition, Espaço Espelho d'Água - Lisbon, Portugal - 2/21-23

  • The Art of B&W, MIA Photo Fair - Milan, Italy - 3/19-22/2020 (POSTPONED)

  • My Exhibition Shot, Laurent Gallery - Melbourne, Australia - 4/9-11

  • Nature Photography, Blank Wall Gallery - Athens, Greece - 5/15-17

  • Art of Black and White, BBA Gallery - Berlin, Germany - 6/5-7

  • Minimalism, LACP - Los Angeles, California - 6/26-28

  • Our Amazing Planet, LACP - Los Angeles, California - 6/26-28

  • Art of Storytelling, BBA Gallery - Berlin, Germany - 7/17-19

  • Nature Photographer of the Year, The Space, Vancouver, Canada - 8/7-9

  • Solo, Brick Lane Gallery - Brick Lane, London - 8/18-24

  • People and Places, Studio Galerie B&B - Paris, France - 9/17-19

  • Favorite Shot, Blank Wall Gallery - Athens, Greece - 9/25-9/27

  • Best of B&W, BBA Gallery - Berlin, Germany - 11/13-15

  • Photogenic, Gora Gallery - Montreal, QC, Canada - 11/19-21

  • Our Amazing Planet - Kontrast Galleri, Stockholm, Sweden - 12/3-6

  • Art of B&W - Kontrast Galleri, Stockholm, Sweden - 12/3-6

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       2021

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  • Double exhibition - Best of Black and White & Storytelling - Espaço Espelho D’agua Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal - 2/26-28

  • Photographer of the Year (2020) - Agora Gallery, New York City, NY - 2/11-13

  • Powerful Compositions - Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, Greece - 3/19-21

  • Art of Black and White - PH21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary - 8/20-22

  • Nature Photographer of the Year - Coningsby Gallery, London - 12/11-13

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       2022

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  • Displayed on two billboards - Vellum LA and ObscuraDAO - DTLA - 1/25-2/4

  • Displayed in the digital gallery of punk6529

  • Displayed in NFTSEA NYC 2022

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       2023

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  • Displayed in Hudson Yards and Times Square NYC with NFTNYC2023 - April

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       2024

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Soulcraft and Viribus Femina displayed on the Marriott in DTLA with ObscuraDAO and VellumLA

My portrait of Viribus Femina on the Marriott in DTLA by Vellum LA & Obscura DAO

 

 Contests, Awards, & Significant Sales: 

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       2019

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       2020

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  • Nude2020 Photoshoot Award - Merit, Nature-Earth Category 

  • Finalist in ViewBug Pro Photo volume 17 contest - 12/2020 ​

  • Viewbug Treasure Award - 1/12/2020

  • Awarded exclusive Viewbug Daydreamer Badge - 3/17/2020

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       2021

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       2022

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       2024

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  • Honorable Mention - Best Photography Awards - Nude Category 5/2024

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 Website, Mag, & Book Publications: 

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​       2019

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       2020

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       2021

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  • Selected as top 50 out of over 10000 in Agora’s Blackandwhite2021 - 1/13/2021

  • Selected in Agora Best of the Week Top 50 - 1/22/2021

  • Selected in Agora Best of the Week Top 50 - 2/5/2021

  • Featured on 100ASA Prime Gallery - 5/12/2021

  • Featured in newsletter - Modelsociety.com - 9/22/2021

  • Featured Interview - UtahAdventure.com - 12/5/2021

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       2022

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  • Published in "Minted" Book - Spring 2022

  • Published in Chromatic Awards Annual Book - Spring 2022

  • Published in Who We Are 200 Book, ObscuraDAO - Spring 2022

  • Published Profile on NFTphotographers.xyz - 1/2022

  • Featured Interview - Viewbug - 7/2022

  • Published in Model Society's 1st Model Citizens Edition - 10/2022

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      2023

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      2024

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Photography by Benjamin Sumner Franke

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