2020 Senior Exhibition Artists 2020 Senior Exhibition Artists: Ben Guan-Kennedy

Biography

Ben Guan-Kennedy studied Animation and Game Arts at UMass Dartmouth while pursuing a career in video production. In 2017, he contributed to the art history exhibition Black Spaces Matter: Exploring the Aesthetics & Architectonics of an Abolitionist Neighborhood, and has spoken on public panels with the exhibition team in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ben draws from his experiences with assisting New England-based filmmaker Don Burton, as well as his time minoring in Art History, to create visual media that engages all audiences in culturally significant discourses.

Statement

While static art can captivate viewers in certain ways, I am more compelled by video and film. Narrative storytelling is dynamic, multi-sensory, and full of potential energy. Videography started as a hobby for me, since it was an expressive way of showcasing my interests. During my undergraduate career, I applied my desire to celebrate stories to conversations in culture, identity, and public space.

I edit videos so that stories are more accessible: audiences from all walks of life can better understand and relate to important topics. By creating projects such as Of Two Worlds, I aim to encourage human connection and understanding.

Contact

Email: bgkmedia@gmail.com
Website: artistsoftwoworlds.com
Portfolio: bgkstudio.myportfolio.com
Instagram @bgkart

Slideshow

1. Screenshot of “Of Two Worlds: Salty Xi Jie Ng”, 2020, video
2. Screenshot of “Of Two Worlds: Salty Xi Jie Ng”, 2020, video
3. Screenshot of “Of Two Worlds: Salty Xi Jie Ng”, 2020, video
4. Screenshot of “Of Two Worlds: Dário Borim Jr.”, 2020, video
5. Screenshot of “Of Two Worlds: Dário Borim Jr.”, 2020, video
6. Screenshot of “Of Two Worlds: Dário Borim Jr.”, 2020, video
7. Screenshot of “Of Two Worlds: Sammy Chong”, 2020, video
8. Screenshot of “Of Two Worlds: Sammy Chong”, 2020, video
9. Screenshot of “Of Two Worlds: Sammy Chong”, 2020, video