Benjamin Aitken is a Melbourne-based artist whose practice is deeply entwined with his personal history, encompassing themes of addiction, incarceration, and resilience. His work is marked by a raw, unfiltered approach that challenges traditional art narratives and invites viewers into a space of unnerving uneasiness.

Aitken's art is a visceral exploration of his lived experiences – many of which are hard to stare down. But it’s exactly this tenacity – and the raw talent of a prodigious painter – that’s always drawn me to work with him. I’d shown Ben in group and public shows over the years, but it was his monumental 8m x 1.6m work that blew the socks off a New Zealand audience in 2022. Accompanied by a series of seven smaller works (You're so vain you probably think these paintings are about you), the set spelled out the word OPIATES, directly referencing his struggles with sobriety.

It was a tough act to follow, yet FILTH – Ben’s first UK solo show – smashes it out of the ballpark.

FILTH is a peephole that welcomes us to the other side. Not the edgy, Banksy-lite, brunch-table “other side” – the actual one. Where addiction isn’t a metaphor, serial killer Ivan Milat is name-dropped without irony, and fringe-dwelling (probably for good reason) individuals expose the hypocrisy of the public glare. Ben’s paintings are like quiet stories at an AA meeting – disarming, maybe too honest, and not necessarily looking for your forgiveness.

Aitken's work isn’t without controversy. His candid discussions of drug use and criminal activity, both in his art and personal life, challenge societal norms and provoke strong reactions. His approach raises questions about the role of the artist in society and the boundaries between personal experience and public expression; continually exploring the dynamics between art, trauma, and social commentary, as a vehicle for confronting broader issues such as the criminalisation of addiction, the stigmas around mental health, and the potential for art to serve as a ‘way in’ to personal and collective healing.

Exhibitions and Recognition
Aitken has been a finalist in the prestigious Art Gallery of New South Wales Archibald Prize multiple times, including in 2016 and 2018. His 2018 portrait of artist Natasha Bieniek was noted for its naturalistic style – a departure from his usual, more abstract approach. He has exhibited internationally, with shows at the Haengchen Art Museum in Korea, TARS Gallery in Bangkok, THIS IS NO FANTASY in Melbourne, Scott Lawrie Gallery in New Zealand, and now, for the first time, in the UK. His work is held in numerous public and private collections around the world.

Beyond his artistic practice, Aitken is committed to community engagement and advocacy. He co-founded Nicholas Projects, an itinerant gallery and public collection supporting Australian artists at all stages of their careers. The foundation's project INTOMISSION presents contemporary art on large-format billboards across regional Victoria, aiming to bring art into public spaces and engage new audiences.

Between shows, Aitken is developing a podcast entitled Inside Out, which will feature conversations with individuals from various backgrounds, including those affected by the criminal justice system. The podcast aims to humanise people and foster dialogue around mental health, addiction, and rehabilitation.

For more information on Benjamin Aitken's work and projects, visit benjaminaitken.com