Mystic Artist Ben Edge Uncovers a Nation's Identity Crisis in Stunning Exhibition
At Ben Edge's studio, a toy poodle called Lunar and a full-size fibreglass horse converge with a mannequin in an elaborate outfit adorned with artificial flowers, Uffington White Horse references, and oak leaves. This surreal image, aptly titled Where Must We Go in Search of Our Better Selves, is a self-portrait that defies convention, blending poetic mysticism with social realism.
The artwork is part of Edge's upcoming exhibition at London's Fitzrovia Chapel, which promises to be a visually stunning exploration of the British folk renaissance. Ten years ago, Edge stumbled upon a druid ceremony in London's Tower Hill, marking the beginning of his journey into the world of folkloric practices. This encounter sparked a creative awakening and led him down a path of rediscovering Britain's rich history and customs.
Edge views his artistic movement as an attempt to reconnect people with nature and their heritage. In a climate where national identity is increasingly under scrutiny, Edge firmly believes that traditional practices can provide the radical solution needed to address societal issues such as climate change and social inequality.
Edge's epic quasi-altarpiece, Children of Albion, serves as the title piece for his exhibition. This monumental oil painting captures the essence of Britain's complex history, featuring refugees in boats, Stonehenge, Viking raids, and the miners' strike alongside morris dancers and references to the slave trade. The artwork is an unflinching reflection on what it means to be British and our collective relationship with nature.
In Edge's vision, Albion represents a beneficent figure โ a sleeping giant awakened by true self-acceptance. He believes that reconnecting with ancient customs can offer a solution to the crises of our age. "When I was clinically depressed, I had no connection to nature," he says. For him, restoring this fractured relationship with nature is key to addressing the climate emergency.
During the pandemic lockdowns, Edge found himself transformed by the sudden shift in people's mindsets about Britain and the climate crisis. The period allowed individuals to reevaluate their relationships with nature and rediscover a sense of pride in their surroundings. "It was probably a bit confusing at first, because post-Brexit many left-leaning people felt almost done with the country," he alludes.
Edge advocates for an independent art world that fosters creativity and growth rather than relying on external sources. In building his own artistic operation, he found success and inspiration. "The minute I had that realisation, everything started going pretty well for me."
Ben Edge's Children of Albion exhibition is now open at the Fitzrovia Chapel in London until November 26th.
At Ben Edge's studio, a toy poodle called Lunar and a full-size fibreglass horse converge with a mannequin in an elaborate outfit adorned with artificial flowers, Uffington White Horse references, and oak leaves. This surreal image, aptly titled Where Must We Go in Search of Our Better Selves, is a self-portrait that defies convention, blending poetic mysticism with social realism.
The artwork is part of Edge's upcoming exhibition at London's Fitzrovia Chapel, which promises to be a visually stunning exploration of the British folk renaissance. Ten years ago, Edge stumbled upon a druid ceremony in London's Tower Hill, marking the beginning of his journey into the world of folkloric practices. This encounter sparked a creative awakening and led him down a path of rediscovering Britain's rich history and customs.
Edge views his artistic movement as an attempt to reconnect people with nature and their heritage. In a climate where national identity is increasingly under scrutiny, Edge firmly believes that traditional practices can provide the radical solution needed to address societal issues such as climate change and social inequality.
Edge's epic quasi-altarpiece, Children of Albion, serves as the title piece for his exhibition. This monumental oil painting captures the essence of Britain's complex history, featuring refugees in boats, Stonehenge, Viking raids, and the miners' strike alongside morris dancers and references to the slave trade. The artwork is an unflinching reflection on what it means to be British and our collective relationship with nature.
In Edge's vision, Albion represents a beneficent figure โ a sleeping giant awakened by true self-acceptance. He believes that reconnecting with ancient customs can offer a solution to the crises of our age. "When I was clinically depressed, I had no connection to nature," he says. For him, restoring this fractured relationship with nature is key to addressing the climate emergency.
During the pandemic lockdowns, Edge found himself transformed by the sudden shift in people's mindsets about Britain and the climate crisis. The period allowed individuals to reevaluate their relationships with nature and rediscover a sense of pride in their surroundings. "It was probably a bit confusing at first, because post-Brexit many left-leaning people felt almost done with the country," he alludes.
Edge advocates for an independent art world that fosters creativity and growth rather than relying on external sources. In building his own artistic operation, he found success and inspiration. "The minute I had that realisation, everything started going pretty well for me."
Ben Edge's Children of Albion exhibition is now open at the Fitzrovia Chapel in London until November 26th.
It's like he's tapping into something real deep within us Brits. The way he combines mysticism with social realism is totally on point. I love how his art is all about reconnecting people with nature and their heritage - it's so relevant for our times, you know? Climate change, social inequality... we need to find ways to address these issues without just copying what others are doing.
? But seriously, it's amazing how his art can transport you to another time and place. I felt like I was right there with him at Stonehenge, witnessing the Viking raids and whatnot.
edge's work is like a breath of fresh air - it's like he's reminding us we need to reconnect with nature and our heritage. the way he blends mysticism & social realism is pure genius 
his artwork 'Children of Albion' is so visually stunning, it's like a history book come alive 
can't wait to check out his exhibit in london!
It sounds like Ben Edge is trying to connect people with nature and their heritage, which I think is really important in today's world. Climate change and social inequality are huge issues we're facing right now, and if traditional practices can help us address them, that's a great idea.
And I love how Edge is promoting an independent art world where people can be creative without relying on external sources.
Overall, I think this exhibition is going to be amazing and really make people think about their relationship with nature.
and that Children of Albion painting is insane!!! i mean, who else can make Stonehenge and morris dancers look so cool together? 
anyway, if u haven't been to the exhibit yet, u gotta go!! trust me, u won't regret it 
his art is like a reflection of our entire nation's identity crisis 
it's so cool that he found inspiration in druid ceremonies & ancient history 
the way he weaves together different cultures & historical events into these epic artworks is like magic 
but what i love most about Edge is his message of self-acceptance & empowerment 
he's not just an artist, he's a movement 
like, have we lost touch with what's truly important? 
i'm all for getting back to nature and embracing our roots but at the same time... how can we not rely on external sources of inspiration & growth anymore? 
i mean on one hand its great that ben edge is trying to connect people with nature and their heritage, but on another hand the whole thing feels kinda... performative? like hes trying too hard to be some kind of folkloric expert 
I mean, what's up with this whole British folk renaissance thing? It feels like they're trying to tap into something that's been around forever, but I'm not sure if it's just a bunch of nostalgia 
just saw this and gotta say, Ben Edges art is giving me LIFE 
. i love how his art isn't just about being mystical or whatever, but also about social realism and history. it's like he's saying we need to wake up and appreciate where we come from 
. anyway, gotta check out this exhibition ASAP 
.
, I mean, building an independent art world is no easy feat. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and I think he's doing something really cool by creating this alternative space for artists to thrive.
. It's not always easy to look at, but I think that's what makes it so important. We need to confront these complexities head-on if we want to move forward.