Benaiah has created living tapestries through his practice of rug-making. His work explores the black experience of first generation Carriacou immigrants, who settled in the West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield from 1950 to 1971.
Engaging with his family network, Black-owned businesses and community centres, he records their oral histories, transcribes them and these are translated into the tapestries.
This reflects the wider cultural tradition of his Carriacou community crafting tapestries that pass on stories of lives conceptually well-lived.
These living tapestries narrate the rich histories of people who made Yorkshire home.
About the artist
Benaiah Matheson is a multidisciplinary artist whose work is based on a simple statement – BƎ YOU ALWAYS. From this personal commandment and invitation, he has pursued his interest in translating authenticity, of which he has developed his own unique style. The resulting artwork is often abstract yet playful.
Benaiah also has a namesake clothing brand that features his own symbolic alphabet and is an intersection of everything he is curious about – art, utilitarian workwear, food, fitness, music and family heritage.
From his studio he works on a wide variety of canvas sizes, opting to use ergonomic, hand-held tools as his primary materials for creation. Benaiah is based in his hometown of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Access
- The Artists’ Studio is located on our first floor.
- Our lift is located at the rear of our building for access to all floors.
- Please email bella.probyn@thetetley.org if you have any specific questions about access.
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