Local artist Benjamin Howard creates large scale murals throughout the city, often using reclaimed paint and other materials found at the re. “For several years I had a studio at Sharktown a few blocks from the Resource Exchange. I picked up some great stuff during that time, but most importantly a well priced 5 gallon of Kelly green. I’ve gathered that this jug was most likely ‘green screen’ paint and it’s treated me really well over a few years time and judicious use. I still have about a gallon left on that bucket!” 

Benjamin’s current work seeks to explore the culture of everyday life infused with the fantastical. Now a long time resident of Philadelphia, traversing across the urban landscape each day lets him experience the over-sensory stimulation that inhabit his compositions.

For many of his projects, he works with a collective called Tiny Room for Elephants that does large scale multi-artist installations. In 2018, they installed work at the Bok building and in a rotation at the Fillmore. 

The 3 images below with elephants in them were part of that installation:

Another mural Benjamin created was used in a web advertisement for Comcast when they launched their Xfinity hotspots. The advert became a viral video! Cheers to Comcast for hiring local artists as well as donating many reusable materials to The Resource Exchange, helping us divert them from landfill – read our blog “Comcast: Creating a Culture of Sustainable Innovation” here. 

Above: Benjamin Howard standing in front of his mural for Comcast’s Xfinity viral video web campaign.

 Benjamin has also painted a number of murals for local organizations and businesses. “Senior Fam” was created for an office for senior family services in the Northern Liberties:

This mural featuring Ben Franklin is at a new restaurant at 40th and Baltimore called Trolley Car Cafe:
 

Artists like Benjamin are the reason why we do what we do – diverting reusable maker materials from landfill. We love seeing so many beautiful works of art around Philadelphia that use reclaimed materials, helping to create a more sustainable city!

To read more about Benjamin Howard and view more of his astonishing work visit his website www.benhowardart.com.