The humble monopoly board, the classic penguin & famous album artworks are transformed under the careful stroke of Tankard. His iconic pop art style is full of rich colour that demand your attention as soon as you step into their stratosphere. Tankard’s most iconic and popular works are his Penguin Book series. He has tackled the greats, from Ray Hadbury’s Fraenheit 451 to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and created stunning pieces that celebrate iconic stories hidden beneath the humble orange cover.
Ben Tankard has the uncanny ability to breathe fresh life into classics that have far too often sat on our shelves, covered in dust.
Ben Tankard
Fahrenheit 451
Acrylic on Canvas (102x76cm)
Tankards latest series to arrive at KAB Gallery is a little different. Aptly titled “Wild Penguins” the new series is a continuation on the exploration of the Unpopular penguins through new mediums & techniques! The fresh new original pieces are a little smaller in size, a perfect fit for a shelf in the bookcase or in the corner of your office. With 30 titles to chose from, it’s hard not to find your favorite classic in the mix!
Each original artwork is started on a base of the very pages of the book it is inspired by. Tankards paintings literally cover the words penned by the likes of Stein, Darwin & Stevenson as the penguin book covers do. Paint, collage, lino printing and drawing on the paper bring these classic books to life. There is a constrained chaos in Tankards Wild penguin series. Each piece hovers on the border of untamed, the words peep through the paint as if they can no longer be contained.
They are Wild.
Ben Tankard The Catcher in the Rye – Wild Penguin 15
Mixed Media on Paper (13x21cm)
The juxtaposition between the wild nature of these pieces & the reformed classic lens by which these literary masterpieces are so often viewed lies at the very essence of why Tankards works are so successful. His accolades and following is growing by the day. Tankard is currently featured in the Grand Designs Australia Sourcebook (January 2019) and was just recently announced as winner of DP’s World Emerging Artist Award 2018.
Ben Tankard
Origin Of Species – Wild Penguin 21
Mixed Media (30x21cm)
This Wild Penguin series is limited and may never be expanded. So be sure not to miss this fantastic new series at KAB Gallery Terrigal before they waddle out the door!
About the author
Marielle
Marielle is undertaking tertiary education in fine art & design. She is both an artist and designer which makes her the perfect person to seek detailed knowledge on all mediums. Her formal training in art and spatial design allows her to help clients curate collections of art that are interesting and unique.
“The right piece of artwork can not only make a space look great but feel great! Artworks are an important emotive piece that can transform the mood of any room.”
Marielle is available part-time to help you transform your interior with art!
KAB Gallery Terrigal opened in 2013, the life-long dream of Director and Gallery Curator Kerry-Anne Blanket who has spent her career appraising, selling and educating about art.
Located on the beachfront underneath the well-known 4-star hotel landmark of Crowne Plaza Terrigal, KAB Gallery Terrigal provides a full suite of gallery and art related services from this gorgeous space overlooking the famous Terrigal Beach.
Located just an hours drive north from Sydney, KAB Gallery Terrigal is our flagship gallery open 7 days a week. Our rotating exhibition of some of Australia's best collectable and contemporary art changes regularly, and there's always something to suit all tastes.
KAB Gallery Sydney opened in 2020 as a second gallery and art consultancy space of the KAB Gallery brand. Our original Terrigal gallery opened in 2013, the life-long dream of Director and Gallery Curator Kerry-Anne Blanket who has spent her career appraising, selling and educating about art.
Located in the most visible position on one of Sydney's busiest road, KAB Gallery Sydney in Pymble offers a revolving exhibition of Australia's best collectable and contemporary art, along with an expert art consulting service and other related services. Next to Pymble train station and with a large carpark directly behind us, KAB Gallery Sydney is so easy to visit for everyone throughout Sydney.
Marielle 
