LifeStyle Magazine - Dancing with Allen Bentley

Dancing with Allen Bentley

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Written by Kendra Toscano

With swooping, gestural strokes and bold use of color, Allen Bentley uses dancing as a metaphor, a tool for telling his narratives. However, what is truly intriguing about his work lies under the surface. His work is all about human contact; not the dance itself, but what the dance represents. Bentley uses the dance as a symbol of the constant struggle in relationships—the push and pull that exists as part of the human condition we can all identify with. “I’ve been dealing with the idea of relationships, and so that’s a very important term in my painting,” says Bentley. “The relationship between people…there’s a give and a take. Good times, bad times, compromises—and it’s all this crazy balancing act, swirling thing. That naturally led to dancing. It became a perfect metaphor.” One of the most striking qualities of Bentley’s work is his unique perspective. We, the viewers, peer down on the couple, invading their intimate space. This shift from classical perspective is extremely important. Most often, in paintings and in life, we see things from a fixed frontal perspective. The shift from this vantage point adds a definite freshness to the work. In his energetic painting Bang, the dancers practically leap off the canvas. His use of unusual perspective, keen ability to capture movement and theatrical use of color are all on display in this engaging and volatile work.

Another somewhat unusual aspect of Bentley’s work is the fact that the faces of his figures are virtually nonexistent. The facial expressions are of no importance to the narrative and are most often not rendered at all, thereby forcing the viewer to read the body language for content and meaning. This is completely intentional on the part of the artist. Bentley’s masterful ability to depict the human body in motion is enough to tell his story.

His dancers have a distinctly animated, rhythmic, yet authentic quality which is achieved by Bentley’s constant use and study of live models. Bentley understands how the human body moves and how bodies react to one another, which is evident in his paintings and drawings. His mark may appear to be free and uncalculated, but is, in fact, very deliberate. This is clear in his drawing Tuck, in which his loose lines perfectly delineate the figures, creating a sense of swirling movement at the same time.

Allen Bentley and his dancers first became involved with the successful Bridgette Mayer Gallery in Philadelphia in 2001. Bridgette Mayer, the gallery’s owner and director, saw one of his images and was instantly hooked. She visited his studio later that week and immediately began representing him as one of her esteemed gallery artists.

Experience the dance for yourself. Allen Bentley’s work will be featured at both Bridgette Mayer Galleries in Philadelphia and New Hope. Bridgette Mayer Gallery – Philadelphia presents Tempting by Allen Bentley, through February 24. The opening reception for the exhibition will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m., on First Friday, February 2. Bridgette Mayer Gallery –Philadelphia is located at 709 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19106.

Please call (215)413-8893 for further information. Bridgette Mayer Gallery – New Hope presents New Works, by Allen Bentley, February 2 through February 25. Opening reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Second Saturday, February 10. Bridgette Mayer Gallery - New Hope is located at 3 West Bridge St., New Hope, Pa., 18938. Please call for more information: (215) 862-3067 or visit both galleries online at www.mayerartconsultants.com.

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