Refrain.Reflect.Reset
(Art in the Time of Corona)

These works were part of the group show Refrain.Reflect.Reset (Art in the Time of Corona) at STALA CONTEMPORARY. Each artist chose a word to drive their visual inquiry, and Benz selected the word STILL. Her artist statement for this shows details her intention behind the works - ‘Each day, during the time of Corona, with social distancing and in isolation with my family, we would go on a long walk through our suburb. I found these walks to be the highlight of my day and I was continuously struck by the stillness and silence. I spent most of the walks soaking it in, relishing the visual and auditory quiet. Rather than documenting these walks, I enjoyed them; I intentionally was present. If something was particularly striking to me, I would take a photo of it on my phone.

In reflection, I found myself drawn to capturing things that held promise or spoke of traces of history and life but were now still; anaesthetised, inert or paused. These walks kept me sane on long days with three young children, work and a husband holed up in my eldest son’s bedroom trying to keep our business functioning.

These studies are a response to this time, experience and collected images. They may become something more or just be left as a glimpse of a strange and still moment in time’.