Ruben Benjamin (b. 1994) is a Munich-based artist working between painting and sculpture. At the center of his practice is the question of how light can be translated into material - through color, surface, depth, and form.
Drawing from geological formations, shifting atmospheres, erosion, and other natural processes, Benjamin creates works that feel organic yet precisely constructed. Rather than depicting nature, he translates its movements and forces into abstract objects. His background in mechanical engineering informs a controlled process in which complex layers, shaped surfaces, and structural interventions are carefully balanced.
Working with materials such as aluminium, wood, marble-based compounds, and industrial coatings, Benjamin develops wall-based works and sculptures that respond to their surroundings. Their appearance changes with the light and the viewer’s position: surfaces expand, compress, reflect, or seem to dissolve into atmosphere.
This tension between natural movement and technical precision, physical matter and immaterial light, forms the foundation of his work. Benjamin’s works are held in private collections across Europe, the United States, and Asia. His practice also includes site-specific projects and commissioned installations, among them a project for the Vacheron Constantin art collection.
"I construct surfaces where light behaves as matter - gathering, compressing, and shifting through depth. The work brings the organic forces of nature into tension with technical precision." - RB
2026
Solo Exhibition, "After the dust settles" (20 March - 10 May), Gallery Sonder, Newport Beach, California, USA
Artist Residency at Mohilef Studios (March 2026), Los Angeles, California
2025
Solo Show “TRY TO ACT NORMAL”, Munich
The Thing In Itself – Group Exhibition, Gallery Sonder, Los Angeles, USA (With Josh Sperling, Jae Ford, Noosha Golab, Gary Lang, Sheng Lor, Susan Maddux, Pilar Wiley)
Group Exhibition – Curated by Bettina Beckert (Sotheby’s); Founded by Peter J.C. Hansen and Korbinian Kohler; Under the patronage of Michael Buhrs (Director, Museum Villa Stuck), Tegernsee
2024
Holistic Artwork Installation “From Past to Present”. For the Vacheron Constantin Art Collection, Munich & Geneva
Max33 – “Almost Coming Home”, Curated by Bettina Beckert (Sotheby’s), Founder: Peter J.C. Hansen, Patroness: Susanne Hermanski, Group Exhibition with Gregor Hildebrandt, Lars Eidinger, Hannes Heinrich (and further), Residenzstr., Munich
2023
The Untitled Void – “Do That Thing”, Group Exhibition, Seoul
Solo Show “NO TIME TO EXPLAIN”, AAAHH Penthouse
Max33 – Group Exhibition, Interim accommodation of the Museum Villa Stuck, Munich
Artist Residency, Studio Italy (July 2023)
2022
Solo Show “FROZEN IN TIME”
“Full House Art” Charity Exhibition, Board Members: Peter J.C. Hansen, Mon Muellerschoen, Kateryna Vozianova, Munich
“Between Realms”, Curated by Jessica Wan, Group Exhibition with Beeple, Damien Hirst (and further)
Collections:
Vacheron Constantin Art Collection
PRESS:
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
"You simply want to touch the overlapping color compositions and relief-like surfaces by Ruben Benjamin. The artist's small and large-format paintings can be seen internationally, from Miami to Seoul.“
"Die Kollaboration von Thomas Mang & Ruben Benjamin" (LINK)
THEMAGAZINE GERMANY X THE NEW YORK TIMES
"Benjamin, who began his career with a passion for drawing and spray paint, has developed into an artist whose works transcend boundaries in both painting and sculpture."
GQ
„Ruben Benjamin has now fully arrived in this (art) world and inspires people with his sculptures.“
