The work of artist Karl Benjamin, one of CGU’s most distinguished alums, continues to garner attention and praise. His “#4” was recently added to a permanent exhibition at the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art at Pasadena’s Huntington Library. Painted in 1968, “#4” is composed of squares subdivided in quadrants of varying color, displaying Benjamin’s interest in geometric abstraction. This work shares the gallery with those of other great American painters such as Helen Frankenthaler, Ed Ruscha, and Richard Diebenkorn. Also, this past September, the Office of Alumnae and Alumni Relations partnered with the CGU Art Department for the opening reception of Paintings and Installation, a collection of Benjamin’s work, at the East and Peggy Phelps Galleries on campus. The pieces in the exhibit – some of which were being shown for the first time – were personally selected by Benjamin. Prior to the reception, a group of about 60 graduates and friends enjoyed a lecture on Benjamin’s work from Interim President Joseph C. Hough and Art Department Chair David Pagel. Hundreds of members of both the CGU and art communities – including many MFA students in the art program – enjoyed the spectacular exhibition.
