John A. Benigno

Artist's Statement and Bio

My work is primarily project-driven and tends towards realism. It is often described as traditional. In fact, my primary influences come from the early masters—Porter, Steichen, and Strand, to name a few. While I welcome this comparison, realism is merely a means to an end. Rather, I believe that my background in the social sciences does more to shape my vision than my genuine fondness for the work of photography’s pioneers.
 
My real interest is to capture timeless moments and to stimulate curiosity about how, when, and why it has been influenced by man. To quote Eudora Welty, “Place is my source of knowledge. It tells me important things...” Place is an important theme throughout my work.
 
Until recently, I have used film and traditional darkroom methods. Today, however, I have transitioned to both digital capture and printing.

My work has been collected by the Berman, Woodmere, Lancaster, and Noyes Museums, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin, and the State Museum of Pennsylvania. It has been published in "Camera Arts" and the "Antietam Review."  

My photographs have been accepted into juried exhibits at the Berman and Woodmere Museums, Villanova University, and the Art Association of Harrisburg. "Chappy Cabanas and Edgartown Light" was on loan to the American Embassy in Kuwait, as part of the State Department’s Art in Embassies program.

I have served on the boards of the Philadelphia Sketch Club, the Main Line Art Center, and the Philadelphia/Tri State Artists Association (past president).