On the Edge
1966
Benjamin, Anthony
Anthony Benjamin began his career as an apprentice in engineering, but at the age of 20, set off for Paris to study drawing in the studio of the French painter Fernand Léger. He returned to London to study art at the Regent Street Polytechnic and, in order to fund his studies, he fought as a flyweight professional boxer. Benjamin competed in over 100 bouts and narrowly missed selection for the 1948 Olympics.
Moving to Cornwall in 1955, Benjamin became part of the group of artists who settled around St Ives. Known for his bright and vivid abstract paintings, he extended his practice to produce colourful sculptures using Perspex, fibreglass and chrome. 'On the Edge' was painted in 1966 - the year in which Benjamin began to achieve success as an artist with solo exhibitions at the ICA, London, and the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford.
Charlotte Booth