Benjamin Cabral

Soliloquy For Past Futures

January 9–February 6, 2021

Installation views

Soliloquy For Past Futures. Installation view, Steve Turner, 2021

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Works

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Greeter (Alone)</em>, 2021. Rhinestones and beads on acrylic painted wood, 47 x 19 1/2 inches (119.4 x 49.5 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Greeter (Alone)</em>, 2021. Rhinestones and beads on acrylic painted wood, 47 x 19 1/2 inches (119.4 x 49.5 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Greeter (With Friend)</em>, 2021. Rhinestones and beads on acrylic painted wood, 45 x 26 inches (114.3 x 66 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Greeter (With Friend)</em>, 2021. Rhinestones and beads on acrylic painted wood, 45 x 26 inches (114.3 x 66 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Angel (Memories)</em>, 2021. Rhinestones and faux pearls on acrylic painted wood, Dimensions variable, each work ranges from 14 1/2–18 1/2 inches in height and 8–12 inches in width

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Self-Portrait (Looking at Myself, Loving Myself, Hating Myself)</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 40 x 30 inches (101.6 x 76.2 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Three Self Portraits (Dance Break)</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Benjamin Performing as Liza</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 40 x 30 inches (101.6 x 76.2 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Performer (Cat Dancer)</em>, 2021. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood, 38 x 20 inches (96.5 x 50.8 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Performer (Cat Dancer)</em>, 2021. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood, 38 x 20 inches (96.5 x 50.8 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Guardian (Flowers)</em>, 2020. Rhinestones and epoxy on chrome stanchions with velvet rope, Dimensions variable, each stanchion is 40 x 13 x 13 inches (101.6 x 33 x 33 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Eight Self Portraits (Midnight Street Lamps)</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 60 x 60 inches (152.4 x 152.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Self-Portrait (Performing as Audience)</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls, beads, plastic, paper clay and acrylic on plastic human form, 55 x 41 x 23 inches (139.7 x 104.1 x 58.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>A Ceremonial Gift</em>, 2021. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood, 29 x 15 inches (73.7 x 38.1 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Me And A Puppet (An Optimistic Friend)</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Practical Friend</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, metal candelabrum, faux pearls and beads on epoxy coated foam, 25 x 9 x 10 inches (63.5 x 22.9 x 25.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Hopeful Friend</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on epoxy coated foam, 20 x 9 x 9 inches (50.8 x 22.9 x 22.9 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Hopeful Friend</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on epoxy coated foam, 20 x 9 x 9 inches (50.8 x 22.9 x 22.9 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Me as the Faun</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls, mirrors and beads on epoxy coated foam, 22 1/2 x 9 x 10 inches (57.2 x 22.9 x 25.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Me as the Faun</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls, mirrors and beads on epoxy coated foam, 22 1/2 x 9 x 10 inches (57.2 x 22.9 x 25.4 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. <em>New Friends (Never Spring)</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>New Friends (Never Spring)</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Self-Portrait Performing As Judy</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 24 x 18 inches (61 x 45.7 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>A Eulogy For the Past, Present (Hopefully Not Future)</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 24 x 18 inches (61 x 45.7 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>Trying Not To Laugh (Trying Not To Cry)</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 24 x 18 inches (61 x 45.7 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>We Have No Troubles Here</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 24 x 18 inches (61 x 45.7 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>A Possible Memory?</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 30 x 30 inches (76.2 x 76.2 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. <em>A Possible Memory?</em>, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 30 x 30 inches (76.2 x 76.2 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Greeter (Alone), 2021. Rhinestones and beads on acrylic painted wood, 47 x 19 1/2 inches (119.4 x 49.5 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Greeter (Alone), 2021. Rhinestones and beads on acrylic painted wood, 47 x 19 1/2 inches (119.4 x 49.5 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Greeter (With Friend), 2021. Rhinestones and beads on acrylic painted wood, 45 x 26 inches (114.3 x 66 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Greeter (With Friend), 2021. Rhinestones and beads on acrylic painted wood, 45 x 26 inches (114.3 x 66 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Angel (Memories), 2021. Rhinestones and faux pearls on acrylic painted wood, Dimensions variable, each work ranges from 14 1/2–18 1/2 inches in height and 8–12 inches in width

Benjamin Cabral. Self-Portrait (Looking at Myself, Loving Myself, Hating Myself), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 40 x 30 inches (101.6 x 76.2 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Self-Portrait (Looking at Myself, Loving Myself, Hating Myself), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 40 x 30 inches (101.6 x 76.2 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Three Self Portraits (Dance Break), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Three Self Portraits (Dance Break), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Benjamin Performing as Liza, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 40 x 30 inches (101.6 x 76.2 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Benjamin Performing as Liza, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 40 x 30 inches (101.6 x 76.2 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Performer (Cat Dancer), 2021. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood, 38 x 20 inches (96.5 x 50.8 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Performer (Cat Dancer), 2021. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood, 38 x 20 inches (96.5 x 50.8 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Guardian (Flowers), 2020. Rhinestones and epoxy on chrome stanchions with velvet rope, Dimensions variable, each stanchion is 40 x 13 x 13 inches (101.6 x 33 x 33 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Eight Self Portraits (Midnight Street Lamps), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 60 x 60 inches (152.4 x 152.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Eight Self Portraits (Midnight Street Lamps), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 60 x 60 inches (152.4 x 152.4 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Self-Portrait (Performing as Audience), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls, beads, plastic, paper clay and acrylic on plastic human form, 55 x 41 x 23 inches (139.7 x 104.1 x 58.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Self-Portrait (Performing as Audience), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls, beads, plastic, paper clay and acrylic on plastic human form, 55 x 41 x 23 inches (139.7 x 104.1 x 58.4 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. A Ceremonial Gift, 2021. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood, 29 x 15 inches (73.7 x 38.1 cm) Benjamin Cabral. A Ceremonial Gift, 2021. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood, 29 x 15 inches (73.7 x 38.1 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Me And A Puppet (An Optimistic Friend), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Me And A Puppet (An Optimistic Friend), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Practical Friend, 2020. Rhinestones, metal candelabrum, faux pearls and beads on epoxy coated foam, 25 x 9 x 10 inches (63.5 x 22.9 x 25.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Practical Friend, 2020. Rhinestones, metal candelabrum, faux pearls and beads on epoxy coated foam, 25 x 9 x 10 inches (63.5 x 22.9 x 25.4 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Hopeful Friend, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on epoxy coated foam, 20 x 9 x 9 inches (50.8 x 22.9 x 22.9 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Hopeful Friend, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on epoxy coated foam, 20 x 9 x 9 inches (50.8 x 22.9 x 22.9 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Me as the Faun, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls, mirrors and beads on epoxy coated foam, 22 1/2 x 9 x 10 inches (57.2 x 22.9 x 25.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Me as the Faun, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls, mirrors and beads on epoxy coated foam, 22 1/2 x 9 x 10 inches (57.2 x 22.9 x 25.4 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. New Friends (Never Spring), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. New Friends (Never Spring), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm) Detail

Benjamin Cabral. Self-Portrait Performing As Judy, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 24 x 18 inches (61 x 45.7 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. A Eulogy For the Past, Present (Hopefully Not Future), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 24 x 18 inches (61 x 45.7 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. Trying Not To Laugh (Trying Not To Cry), 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 24 x 18 inches (61 x 45.7 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. We Have No Troubles Here, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 24 x 18 inches (61 x 45.7 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. A Possible Memory?, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 30 x 30 inches (76.2 x 76.2 cm)

Benjamin Cabral. A Possible Memory?, 2020. Rhinestones, faux pearls and beads on acrylic painted wood panel, 30 x 30 inches (76.2 x 76.2 cm) Detail

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Steve Turner is pleased to present Soliloquy For Past Futures, a solo exhibition by Chicago-based Benjamin Cabral that consists of a room installation reminiscent of a youth theater in which his paintings and sculpture exist as background, actor and audience. The installation is an extravaganza of color and materials: blue velvet walls, plush purple carpet, a row of theater chairs painted lavender with pink upholstery, brightly colored paintings and sculptures with undulating surfaces of glass beads, rhinestones, mirrors and faux pearls. Central in the works is a youthful, red-haired boy who is either performing, playing, ruminating or remembering. His expression is neither frown nor smile, but has something of both. According to Cabral, he is that boy, constructed from memory and invention. The works are obsessively and meticulously crafted, flamboyant and dazzling with Cabral as Liza, Bette, Judy and a character from Cats. The narrative in any given work is ambiguous, but as a whole, the installation conveys a darkness just below glitz where nostalgia and trauma intersect.

Cabral (born 1993, San Diego) earned a BA at Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego (2016) and an MFA at the Art Institute of Chicago (2019). He has had solo exhibitions with Lauren Powell at SPRING/BREAK, Los Angeles and SPRING/BREAK, New York (2020). This is his first exhibition with Steve Turner.

Benjamin Cabral creates brightly colored and meticulously crafted paintings and sculpture with undulating surfaces of glass beads, rhinestones, mirrors and faux pearls. The works often include the artist’s likeness with an open-ended narrative that is based on memory and invention. According to Cabral, they convey a darkness just below glitz where nostalgia and trauma intersect.

Born 1993, San Diego, California
Lives and works in Chicago

Education
2019
MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

2016
BA, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego

Solo Exhibitions
2021
Soliloquy For Past Futures, Steve Turner, Los Angeles

2020
SPRING/BREAK Art Show, curated by Lauren Powell, New York
SPRING/BREAK Art Show, curated by Lauren Powell, Los Angeles

2016
Some People From Around Here, NTC Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego
Some Faces From Around Here (The Paintings), Martha Pace Swift Gallery, San Diego
Open Up Your Eyes And You’ll See, Keller Gallery, San Diego

2015
I Have So Much Love To Give You, Not an Exit Gallery, Bread and Salt Art Complex, San Diego
Look At My Face Don’t You Dare Look Away, Keller Gallery, San Diego
Joshua, Crystal, and Heather Lynn, Cabrillo Gallery, San Diego

Group Exhibitions
2021
Cool Kids, Moosey Art, London (upcoming)

2020
Remake/Remodel, curated by Amelia Biewald, The Royal, Brooklyn
E-motionø Support Group, curated by Lauren Powell

2019
Homesick Remedy, JAW Gallery, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
Pulling At Threads, Martha’s Contemporary, Austin
Seattle Art Fair (with Mindy Solomon Gallery)
With a Capital P, curated by José Lerma, Elmhurst Museum of Art, Illinois
The Turf, curated by Tony Lewis and Andrew Falkowski, The Research House for Asian Art, Chicago
SAIC MFA Show, Sullivan Gallery, Chicago
Comp-Art-Mentalize, Andrew Rafacz Gallery, Chicago

2018
I Know when Adults Are About to Cry, Sugar Space Gallery, Indianapolis
What Was Painting, Club Nutz, Chicago

2015
HiLite, Keller Gallery, San Diego
Thesis Highlights, Love Gallery, San Diego

2014
Cannon Juried Biennial, William D. Cannon Art Gallery, Carlsbad, California
Survey In Printmaking, Love Gallery, San Diego
Estate Sale 390, Love Gallery, San Diego
Highlights, Keller Gallery, San Diego
ArtScream Social, Y.A.H. Gallery, San Diego

2013
Survey In Drawing, Keller Gallery, San Diego

2012
The Greedy Organ (25 and under), Museum Of Contemporary Art, San Diego

2011
Experiment, MCA Gallery, San Diego

Awards
2019
Carrie Ellen Tuttle Fellowship, SAIC

2016
Honors Research Achievement, PLNU

2015
PLNU Chair Award

2014
Visual Arts Scholarship, PLNU

2012
3rd Place MCASD 25 and Under Art Competition

Bibliography
2020
Cascone, Sarah. “For Its 2020 New York Edition, SPRING/BREAK Will Take Over Ralph Lauren’s Former HQ With an Ode to Excess,” artnet, February 18
Hsieh, Joanne. “Benjamin Cabral,” ChiaoxArt, January 12

2019
Donahue, Andeana. “Interview with Benjamin Cabral,” Maake Magazine
New American Paintings, Midwest #141, August/September
New American Paintings, MFA Annual #141, April/May

2016
Duffy, Savanah. “PLNU alumni’s art shines this holiday season,” Lomabeat, December 7
“Point Loma grad creates art installation for the holidays at Liberty Station,” San Diego Community Newspaper Group, November 26
Showley, Roger. “Holiday shopfest revving up online and in stores,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, November 21

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