Stephen Bennett's "Face to Face, Uniting Humanity" Exhibit now at Bergamot Station till Dec 16

The much anticipated exhibit of breathtaking, indigenous portraits has arrived! Stephen Bennett, the internationally renowned portrait painter is exhibiting his work for a limited engagement at The James Gray Gallery at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, CA.

Bennett's exhibit, “FACE to FACE, Uniting Humanity” is a preview of an upcoming exhibit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The exhibit will feature 12 portraits using intricate strokes of vibrant color that magnetically draws an audience into the faces of exotic, indigenous people. Some of these magnificent canvases are as large as 5’x7’! As an observer stands face to face looking into the windows of another's soul, a connection is born through admiration, compassion and understanding. For these mesmerizing faces truly capture our common humanity!

Bennett is the founder of “FACES of the WORLD, Inc.” a non-profit foundation aimed to helping to preserve and empower indigenous peoples through art, education and cultural exchange. Stephen teaches Portrait Workshops to children worldwide encouraging them to take pride in themselves and their culture through portraiture. His World Portraits are so impressive that the UNITED NATIONS in New York has requested to exhibit these amazing, large-scaled portraits in mid-2008 (TBA).

Stephen Bennett has traveled to more than 20 countries in the last 15 years, painting indigenous and traditional people worldwide. Bennett recently returned to his Brooklyn studio in March, 2007, after spending two years exploring Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Wherever he travels, he lives amongst local families to immerse himself within their culture. He captures soulful insights through the medium of portraits painted with pigments he's mixed by hand. Stephen Bennett has ventured out to where most would never dare. He has survived malaria 3 times, narrowly escaped attacks from natives as well as being robbed at gunpoint. Through every obstacle, his passion for what he does overshadows any conflict he may have experienced. Stephen Bennett’s ultimate quest is to paint 1,000 indigenous portraits. His intention is to expand our perceptions so that we may learn to embrace the inherent beauty and nobility of all peoples of our World

Bennett has painted an honorary portrait of Sharon Stone that was commissioned for amFAR. Stephen Bennett’s portraits are in the private collections of Michelle Pfeiffer, Senator Arlen Spector, Tom Brokaw, the President of Panama, and Cuba’s Fidel Castro, among others. His work has also been used to celebrate indigenous cultures through Exhibits in private & National Galleries located in Australia, Brunei, France, French Polynesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, St. Martin, Sarawak, the Seychelles, Tanzania and the United States.

Experience the human face like never before. Look into the faces of our World through Stephen Bennett's unique vision of interpretive photo-realism. Breathtaking!

Now through December 16, 2007 - Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave. Santa Monica Gallery hours are from Tues. - Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

For more info or to verify gallery hours call Victoria Graham 310 452-4140

http://www.jamesgraygallery.com/ 310 315-9502

For more information on Bennett's 501(c)3 non-profit, please visit www.facesoftheworld.net

His Biography, Résumé and World Portraits, can be viewed at: www.theportraitpainter.com