About the Artist:

Christian Benefiel is a native of Maryland. The explosive development of the area, and its impact on the maritime environment are constantly influencing his work. Having also lived and worked in The Baltic States and Scandinavia, the evolving cultural connection between the wooden environment and structure regularly come up in his studio practice. From a production standpoint he is interested in developing sustainable practice in traditional craft, which has led to residencies building and operating bio fuel powered foundries. Benefiel is currently interested in micro-processing and automation technology, specifically the idea of networking everyday objects and how that changes our relationship to them. This is largely inspired by the interactive nature of his work. Benefiel currently lives and works in Western Maryland, and is the BFA Sculpture coordinator for Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. www.christianbenefiel.com