American artist Ben Schonzeit, a pioneer of Photorealism, presents his current solo exhibition "Ben Schonzeit: Imaginary Friends" at Louis K. Meisel Gallery in New York, on view through May 3, 2025. The show marks a significant evolution in his practice, bringing sculpture to the forefront alongside his paintings, and features imaginary characters that depart from his earlier still-life Photorealism. In an interview, Schonzeit discusses how his process has shifted from predetermined goals to intuitive exploration, influenced by New York City's street life and fashion.
The exhibition matters because it showcases a major shift in the work of a key figure in the Photorealist movement, demonstrating how an established artist can reinvent his practice by integrating sculpture and painting in new ways. It also highlights the ongoing dialogue between mediums and the creative freedom that comes from abandoning strict stylistic boundaries, offering audiences a fresh perspective on Schonzeit's career-long experimentation.