Anne Bennett
INSTALLATION ART
KALEIDOSCOPE WITH MIRRORS
WINNER OF THE WELLS ART CONTEMPORARY PEOPLES PRIZE IN 2022
‘Kaleidoscope with mirrors’ by Anne Bennett, which was created in 2022, is an art installation which was hung in the beautiful chapter house of Wells Cathedral. Anne’s aim was to enhance the space in order to enable people to better reflect on their own lives by gazing at the many surrounding butterflies she has produced. This is not a new concept: throughout the centuries humans from many cultures have seen, and still see, butterflies as symbols. These symbols have represented new beginnings, being in the arms of an angel, rebirth, transformation, mortal life, eternal life, departed souls, forthcoming better days, a lightness of being and good luck. The butterflies also hold a secret: in the darkness, and under UV light, each shines brightly with a different motif (which is not visible in the light of day). This gives an opportunity for a second, perhaps still deeper, reflection.
SUMMER CLUSTER
Exhibited in The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2023
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Anne Bennett's installation titled 'Summer Cluster' is a stunning piece of art that has been designed to be placed indoors. The artist's primary goal is to encourage people to reflect on their lives by admiring the cluster of butterflies she has crafted from eco-resin. The fragility of real butterflies is evident in the delicate appearance of these butterflies, which also symbolises the delicate nature of ecosystems that are constantly under threat due to human activities. Each butterfly is connected to the wall using insect pins and magnets, and they all boast unique patterns and wing positions.
'butterflies' designed for the main entrance of Hudson Yards, Manhattan, NYC 2024
In April 2024, a prestigious client from Hudson Yards, Manhattan, NYC, cherry picked a handful of contemporary artists to design, make and install an artwork for the Summer of 2024. Anne was one of the selected few, after an art advisor had travelled across the Atlantic to personally view 'Butterfly Dream' in Aberdeen Art Gallery in February 2024.
After a tough selection process, Anne was delighted that her design made it to the very last round and into the final shortlist of just three artworks. She hopes to work with Hudson Yards in the near future.
