Adolf Benca (born 16 May 1959) is an American painter of Slovak origin.
Early life and beginnings Benca was born on 16 May 1959, in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. He was the older of two children, the younger being his sister Lubica. His family immigrated to the United States when he was ten years old, in 1969. From 1969 to 1973 he attended the Elementary Private School in Chicago. He attended Grayslake High School in Illinois between 1973 and 1977.
He became interested in art very early in his life, attending several art schools in Chicago while he was an elementary student.
In 1966, while he was still living in Czechoslovakia, he was already illustrating children's books. In 1968, a year prior to his family emigrating from Czechoslovakia, because of Russian occupation of Bratislava, his family moved to Vienna, where young Benca became interested in philosophy and started painting mythological themes and subjects. He participated in a few young artist programs in 1970 and 1975.
Studies Adolf Benca studied and graduated from several universities. From 1977 to 1981 he studied at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, art school in New York, where he received his B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degree. For the next four years (1982–1985) he studied at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating at 1987, receiving the title of Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.). From 1987 to 1988 he studied the human anatomy at the University of Bologna in Italy where he received the title "Doctor honoris causa" (Dr.h.c.) in the area of anatomy. At University Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland he received the title "Doctor honoris causa" in the area of philosophy.
Career As he was receiving his titles and studied, Benca continued to paint and exhibit his works in many galleries around the world, many of his paintings ending up in private collections.
In 1985 he became a member of the Swizzero di Roma.
In 1987 he became a member of the French Academy in Rome.
In 1988 he became a member of the American Academy in Rome.
In 1994 he became a member of the Swedish Institute in Rome.
In 2000 he became a member of the Academy of Arts in Berlin.
After "the Fall of the Iron Curtain" he decided to continue his career in Central and Eastern Europe.
In 2002 he started his work in Prague, and was awarded the award of the "Masaryk Academy".
On the barges under "Floating Galleries" he is exhibiting most of his artwork created from 2000 to 2013.
In 2012 Adolf Benca and the "Bratislava's ship company" a.d. (Bratislavská lodná spoločnosť a. s ) have founded the company "Adolf Benca Académia s.r.o.".
In 2013 this project was internationally accepted at "Brussels Symposium" EBU (European Barge Union).
The partner in realization of this international project is the "European Fine Art Fair".
His works can be found all over the world, in private collections, as well as exhibits at museums, such as "Metropolitan Museum" and "Museum of Modern Art" in New York.
World art institutions exhibiting the artwork of Adolf Benca InstitutionMuseum of Modern Art, New York, NY – MoMAMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NYNational Art Gallery, Washington, D.C.Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, The University of OklahomaHigh Museum of Art AtlantaMusei Vatikani, Vatikan, RomeWilliams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, MassachusettsArkansas Arts Center Foundation Collection, Little Rock, Arkansas Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington, SeattleContemporary Art Museum, Tel AvivArt Museum, Hong KongFloating Galleries of the Slovakia, BratislavaNational Gallery of the Slovakia, Bratislava
Standalone exhibitions Year ExhibitionCurrent events: December 2016 - February 2017Exhibition Stigma, Nis, Serbia, dedicated to the reformer of Christianity Constantine the Great and launching the petition for conciliation of the Catholic and Orthodox Church.2013–2014Permanent Installation, Danube, "Fleeces of Aha", Bratislava, Slovakia2005Michalelsa Brana Galleria, Bratislava, Paintings on Iraq2003International Kommerz Bank Gallery, BratislavaMay 2001Pantheon of Arts & Sciences, Kulturnom Dome, BudapestNovember 2000UNESCO-NWICO Austria-Slovakia New World Information Exhibition FoundationNovember 2000Pantheon of Arts & Sciences, Kulturnom Dome, Stupava, SlovakiaNovember 2000Aesthetic Gallery, House of Culture, Stupava, SlovakiaSeptember 2000Slovak Exhibition, Cantos, Washington, DCJanuary 2000Seton Hall University School of Law, Portraits, History of LawFebruary 1999United Nations, Work from the SudanOctober 1998Jazz Drawings, New York CitySept/October 1998Inkubus Gallery, Miami, Florida, Paintings, "Birth of Continents"May/July 1998Inkubus Gallery, Miami, Florida, Drawings, "Encyclopedia"April 1998Inkubus Gallery, Miami, Florida, Tempera PaintingsMarch 1998Inkubus Gallery, Miami, Florida, DrawingsFebruary 1998Inkubus Gallery, Miami, Florida, PaintingsFebruary 1998Seton Hall University School of Law, Jazz DrawingsNovember 1997Inkubus Gallery, Miami, Florida, Tempera PaintingsAugust/Sept 1997Inkubus Gallery, Miami, Florida, DrawingsMay 1997Inkubus Gallery, Miami, Florida, PaintingsApril 1997Embassy of Slovakia, Washington, D.C.October 1996Seton Hall University School of Law, Medical Portrait DrawingsMay 1996Baldachino Gallery, New York CityJanuary 1996M-13 Gallery, New YorkMay 1994Sterling Gallery, Chicago, IllinoisMay 1993Sterling Gallery, Chicago, IllinoisDecember 1992M-13 Gallery, New YorkSeptember 1991M-13 Gallery1988Galerie LcCargo/Galerie Losange, Grenoble1988Twining Gallery, New York1988ARTE FIERE, Bologna1987Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish, NH1986Twining Gallery, New York1985Gallery Jean-Yves Noblet, Paris1985Twining Gallery, New York1984Twining Gallery, New York1983Paul Olsen Gallery, New York1983Twining Gallery, New York1982Alexander Carlson Gallery, New York1981Arthur A. Houghton Gallery, The Cooper Union, New York
Group exhibitions Year Exhibition2014Matica Slovenska, "Cultural Revolutions", Martin, SlovakiaOctober 1998United Nations, Artists From SlovakiaJune 1996 Arkansas Arts Center Foundation CollectionFebruary 1995Achim Moeller Fine Art, New YorkSeptember 1995 Achim Moeller Fine Art, Salon des Beaux Arts, ParisMay 1994Kennesaw State College, Marietta, GeorgiaMay 1992Gallery Three Zero, New York, AMFAR benefitJanuary 1992The Cooper Union, "Good Work" by recent alumni1991Stuart Levy Gallery, New York1991Twining Gallery, New York, Drawings on War1991M-13 Gallery, New York1990M-13 Gallery, New York1990Stuart Levy Gallery, New York1990Achim Moeller Fine Art, New York1989Achim Moeller Fine Art, New York1988Czechoslovak Society of Arts & Sciences, Washington, D.C.1988Queens Museum, New York1988Twining Gallery, New York1986Gallery Two Nine One, Atlanta1986Georgia Museum of Art, Athens1986Twining Gallery, New York1986The Ewing Gallery of Art & Architecture, University of Tennessee1985Canadian Art Galleries, Calgary1985Twining Gallery, New York1984Brenda Kroos Gallery, Columbus, Ohio1984Deborah Sharpe Gallery, New York1984Czechoslovak Society of Arts & Sciences, Montreal1983Paul Olsen Gallery, New York1982Paul Olsen Gallery, New York1981Allan Stone Gallery, New York1981Alexander Carlson Gallery
Works In his repertoire of works, some of the most notable ones are: “Rabbinic dispute“ – 120 × 200 cm, technique: oil and acrylic on canvas, created in 2012. It is currently located in the Floating galleries. “Nurse“ – 180 × 180 cm, technique: acrylic on canvas created in 2004. Currently located in the Floating galleries. “Spanish influenza" – 196 × 281 cm, technique: acrylic on canvas, created in 2003. In the Floating gallery Tabor. “Dialogues of the Dead Series: Triptych 1, Triptych 2, Triptych 3“ – 300 × 400 cm (each of 3 parts), technique: acrylic on carpet created in 2003. At Adolf Benca Academy Ltd. “Winner on the cross“ – 300 × 200 cm, technique: acrylic, an industrial paint and tar on the carpet, created in 2003. Located at the Floating galleries. “She” – 200 × 300 cm, technique: acrylic, an industrial paint and tar on the carpet, created in 2003. Located at the Floating galleries. "The Way to the Northwest" – a collection of 16 paintings; various dimensions; painting technique: acrylic on wood. This collection was exhibited at the European Parliament in Brussels. In the private property of the collectors. Limited edition "Stigma 54“ – contains 54 art works that characterize and represent „Stigma“ (seal) which in Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece was used to stigmatize slaves, criminals, prostitutes, traitors and mentally ill people. The works have various dimensions: height 11,81 – 17,72 inches x width 17,72 – 25,59 inches; painting technique: acrylic on wood, 2012. Owned by various members of the Alliance of Adolf Benca Academy. These art works could afford only the privileged collectors all over the world. The artworks that have been exhibited in the European Parliament since the first of July 2016 regarding the chairmanship of the Slovak Republic in European Union: “€=mc2” (Portrait of Otto von Habsburg) – 175 × 141 cm, oil on canvas, created in 2011. As of July 2016 located at the European Union Parliament. “Waterways – Northwest Passage, No.1” – 57 × 149 cm, oil on canvas, created in 2012. As of July 2016 located at the European Union Parliament. “Waterways – Northwest Passage, No.7” – 55 × 112 cm, oil on canvas, created in 2009. As of July 2016 located at the European Union Parliament. “Waterways – Northwest Passage, No.13” – 50 × 140 cm, oil on canvas, created in 2012. As of July 2016 located at the European Union Parliament. “Waterways – Northwest Passage, No.14” – 82 × 102 cm, oil on canvas, created in 2012. As of July 2016 located at the European Union Parliament.
External links
MoMA Public Collection
References
Schröter, Klaus, Adolf Benca, New York: Twining Gallery, cop. 1985, Retrieved 29 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160815154050/http://benca-museum.com/adolf-benca/ Retrieved 29 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160815165106/http://benca-museum.com/adolf-benca-academia/ Retrieved 29 June 2016 Retrieved 29 June 2016 Barbara Sullivan, How this man... Changed this man's life, Chicago: Chicago Tribune, can be found here: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-03-29/news/8701240466_1_paintings-walls-apartment Retrieved 29 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160822195003/http://wwwopac.upm.cz/zaznam.php?detail_num=1438&vers=&lang=eng&user_hash=7d6313c0bccc140d577e0696633152806ab7dc6c&ascdesc=0&sortby=&strana=0 Retrieved 29 June 2016 http://www.idref.fr/031606113 Retrieved 29 June 2016 http://bombmagazine.org/article/89/skellital-sea Retrieved 29 June 2016 http://www.slideshare.net/DrHcAdolfvonBenzCado/adolf-resume-50897746 Retrieved 29 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160814232157/http://www.mkic.sk/zvesti/zvesti2-2002.pdf Retrieved 29 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160817085026/http://www.artfinding.com/6951/Biography/Benca-Adolph Retrieved 29 June 2016