Billy Al Bengston

Billy Al Bengston

BornNationalityBased In
1934AmericanHonolulu, Venice
Biography

American contemporary artist Billy Al Bengston (1934-2022) worked in painting and sculpture. In the 1960s, Bengston started to show at the Ferus Gallery, which was founded by Walter Hopps and Edward Kienholz. Bengston was inspired by the innovation of Jasper Johns, who included American flags and US maps in his works. He began to experiment with popular iconographies, such as abstracted commercial logos, motorcycles, hearts and eventually, his iconic chevrons. His practice was loosely informed by the Pop art movement as he created work in response to consumer products. In the mid-60s, Bengston started incorporating lacquer into his works, applying spray paint and lacquer to aluminium sheets, which made the surfaces shiny like a genuine motorcycle. He was known for involving California's "Kustom'' car, Motorcycle culture and Finish Fetish movement in his pieces and gained fame for his chevrons series, which showed at Martha Jackson Gallery in New York. ...

Selected Artworks
Finland
Billy Al Bengston
Finland, 1986
213.36 x 182.88cm
Ka'ao Watercolor
Billy Al Bengston
Ka'ao Watercolor, 1983
75.56 x 97.79cm
Poni Haku
Billy Al Bengston
Poni Haku, 1983
55.88 x 45.72cm
Piha
Honolulu Watercolor
Billy Al Bengston
Honolulu Watercolor, 1982
38.1 x 17.78cm
Honolulu Watercolor
Billy Al Bengston
Honolulu Watercolor, 1982
35.56 x 20.32cm
Honolulu Watercolor
Billy Al Bengston
Honolulu Watercolor, 1982
29.21 x 41.91cm
Ka'ao Watercolor
Billy Al Bengston
Ka'ao Watercolor, 1982
57.78 x 83.19cm
Man from Monterey
Billy Al Bengston
Man from Monterey, 1969
91.44 x 86.36cm
Bucker
Billy Al Bengston
Bucker, 1965
95.25 x 77.47cm
Miklos
Billy Al Bengston
Miklos, 1965
101.6 x 76.83cm
Billy Al's Shirts
Billy Al Bengston
Billy Al's Shirts, 2016
76.2 x 55.88cm
Y Tu Pelo Tambien
Billy Al Bengston
Y Tu Pelo Tambien, 2001
76.2 x 152.4cm
B’n E in SF
Billy Al Bengston
B’n E in SF, 1989
137.16 x 91.44cm
Shabaka
Billy Al Bengston
Shabaka, 1989
187.96 x 223.52cm
Door's Always Open
Billy Al Bengston
Door's Always Open, 2011
223.52 x 81.28cm
Aloha Keeaumoku
Billy Al Bengston
Aloha Keeaumoku, 1983
55.88 x 45.72cm
Banga
Billy Al Bengston
Banga, 1987
60.96 x 71.12cm
OB#4
Honolulu Watercolor
Billy Al Bengston
Honolulu Watercolor, 1989
101.6 x 76.2cm
Urban Partners
Billy Al Bengston
Urban Partners, 2011
152.4 x 111.76cm
The Groove
Billy Al Bengston
The Groove, 2016
76.2 x 71.12cm
Hans
Meaghan
Didoufri
Billy Al Bengston
Didoufri, 1989
223.52 x 223.52cm
Haunted Gold
Billy Al Bengston
Haunted Gold, 1969
91.44 x 86.36cm
Man from Monterey
Billy Al Bengston
Man from Monterey, 1969
91.4 x 86.4cm
Gallery Representation
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