ben duke | Chance Factor
Exhibition description:

Chance Factor is a painting exhibition that bridges the monumental and the mundane, questioning how history lingers in the quiet, unassuming moments of daily life. The work explores themes of survival, complicity, and human folly, weaving together historical echoes with mundane contemporary experience. Drawing on Heidegger’s concept of "thrownness"—the idea that individuals are born into historical and cultural circumstances beyond their control—and Lefebvre’s critique of everyday life, the project examines how personal and collective histories shape our perceptions, often in ways we fail to recognize. At the heart of the exhibition is a tension between the past and present, where historical events are reimagined through surreal, theatrical compositions. Chance Factor highlights the ways in which historical forces are not just distant, grand narratives but are embedded in our daily lives, encouraging reflection on how we navigate time, identity, and the unseen forces that shape our existence.

Artist Statement:
In my paintings, I explore the intersection of history, myth, and personal narrative, asking the question, "Is this the way the world is, or the way we imagine it to be?" My work draws upon a rich tapestry of historical events, literary references, and cultural symbols, reimagining them through a lens of imaginative realism. Each painting serves as a stage where characters—real and fictional—interact in a world that is both familiar and uncanny. Blurring the boundaries between fact and fiction, I seek to create a visual language that challenges conventional perceptions of reality and invites viewers to reconsider the stories we tell ourselves. An exploration of narrative complexity, where every image is a dense, layered composition that reflects the fragmented nature of memory and experience. Through this process, I aim to engage viewers in a dialogue about the fluidity of history and the power of imagination.

Artist Bio:
Benjamin Duke is an accomplished painter whose work delves into the intersections of history, mythology, and personal narrative through imaginative realism. He earned his Master of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Hoffberger School of Painting, in 2006. Duke's paintings, characterized by their complex narratives and rich symbolism, have been featured in numerous national and international exhibitions. Notable solo shows include exhibitions at the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Indiana University East, and the Cressman Center Gallery at the University of Louisville. His recent work continues to receive recognition, with upcoming solo exhibitions at Buckham Gallery in Flint, MI, and Covington Gallery at Radford University Art Museum. Duke also engages in public art, having completed murals in Lansing, MI, and Fort Wayne, IN.