An Artist You Should Know: Benjamin Coombs
Design is important.
The chair you sit in, the toilet you sit on, the paper you read while you do so - all of these things have elements of design - a visual appeal that, as Parquet Courts said in their song ‘Memphis Blues Again’, goes ‘beyond function and form, makes you feel nice and warm.’ Engineers make the world work, designers make the work beautiful.
Particularly for us here, design is important. It is our backbone. That and irreverent meandering, but our design and love of imagery is much more our thing. Benjamin Coombs is a designer we like. Simplicity, elegance, and the interesting yet harmonious composition of elements make Ben’s work something to admire, and make him an artist you should know.
Let’s start this off simple. Name, and where are you currently?
Benjamin Coombs. Melbourne, Australia.
What’s your morning routine?
My body clock has me up early. I do Wordle on my phone. If I’m able, I go for a morning run, typically ten kilometers a few times a week, though sometimes I shift it to arvo. Then I have coffee and toast before doing anything else.
How did you end up with brush to canvas?
I’ve always pursued some form of creative hobby from an early age, DIY screen‑printing, drawing, design. A couple of years before lockdown, I got more into painting and started exhibiting in galleries in 2019.
I have mad OCD as a designer: I need things composed just right, which initially drew me to your work. At first glance it seems like a random scattering; but the more you look, it feels very purposeful. Is that the case?
Yeah, I can see how that would be the first impression. I definitely compose things I want on the canvas in a way that feels purposeful to me, but it can evolve from the initial concept or idea. If something else gels better, I let it – often everything becomes organically linked with underlying meaning by the completion stage. I often surprise myself!
How did your work get to this point?
I started working with acrylic on paper and framing those pieces. My interest and love of larger‑scale works naturally progressed to canvas, it allows movement and texture, particularly with the typography getting a worn‑in “ghost‑sign” look. I really trust my gut, stay in my own lane, and focus on what comes out most easily onto the canvases.
Do you prefer the typography or the illustration?
A bit of both. Some days I bang out the typography, it can get a bit stressy, ha. But I always love it and know my painting needs it. Other days I really enjoy finishing off an object or illustration on the painting.
How important is colour or lack thereof within the work?
Colour is pretty important. I really love creating complementary palettes. I don’t lean toward bright, loud, in‑your‑face colours maybe that’s part of my personality playing through! More subtle. But even if it seems like there’s “no colour,” there is… For example, the soft pinkish‑white background layers aren’t just raw prepped canvas. I aim to create colours that will look good in my own home or a collector’s space.
Are the phrases and words things you pick up day‑to‑day?
Dude, absolutely. My notes on my phone are full of words and phrases I collect along the way faded ghost signs I’ve walked past or looked up at; a word on a sign that stands out; lyrics I hear while painting or running; even people’s conversations in real life or film.
What’s your favourite animal to paint?
So far I’ve only ever done tigers, birds, and poodles so they’re all pretty sweet subjects.
Inspiration: where do you find it?
Mid‑century furniture and objects. Thrifting. Camberwell Markets. Signs and working‑class typography from yesteryear. Human relationships, past and present. Grief. Music. Film.
A favourite quote?
“No rain, no flowers.”
Describe your studio/work space in ten words or less.
Sunny. Pretty organised. Procrastinator’s delight.
What’s next for Mr. Coombs?
I’ve curated and am part of a group exhibition—featuring myself and twenty artists I’ve invited—in August. I’ll also be running my own gallery and venue space in Collingwood, Melbourne, called “Loved Ones Gallery.” It’s currently “Easy Mark.” I’m aiming to open before the end of the year, so I’m super excited and inspired to take that on!
