Vanitas exhibit at ART.FAIR 21 Cologne

Announcing the world premier exhibition of my painting titled, Vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas, at the ART.FAIR 21 in Cologne, Germany. The Strychnin Gallery will be presenting my work in their booth at the fair, from Friday the 29th of October, to Sunday the 1st of November.

The Vanitas takes it's thematic inspiration from the traditional still life genre of the same name, prevalent in northern Europe throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. My unique composition groups artifacts and relics that were painstakingly rendered from real life over the course of many months. The display is a deeply personal exploration of these objects. The painting measures 36" x 24" (91 cm x 61 cm). Executed in egg tempera and oil paint on panel.

A small work titled, Pomegranates, is also being exhibited at the Fair. The painting measures 12" x 9" (30.5 cm x 23 cm). Egg tempera and oil paint on panel.



Both paintings will be in the illustrious company of works by Madeline von Foerster, David Hochbaum, Saturno Butto, Margart Bowland, Marina Bychkova, and other internationally acclaimed artists.

Interested collectors please contact the Strychnin Gallery.

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From the Devil's Tomb

Album artwork created for the newest record from the Canadian heavy metal band, Weapon. The release is titled, From the Devil's Tomb.

The double LP is being released through The Ajna Offensive in the USA, and Agonia Records in Europe.

Press Release: "A stunning gatefold release with majestically over-the-top artwork by Benjamin Vierling. Includes printed inner sleeves with lyrics/art. "

Jocus Severus

Alchemical Aviary Illustrations


My illustrations will be appearing in the forthcoming translation of the 17th century alchemical book, Jocus Severus, to be published by Ouroboros Press.

The press release from the publisher states:

"Jocus Severus was originally published in 1617 by Count Michael Maier and is here rendered into the English tongue from the Latin text by the remarkably able translator Darius Klein. Like his work on Giordano Bruno's Cantus Circaeus, this is the First English Translation. In addition to the new translation, the Ouroboros Press edition of Jocus Severus distinguishes itself by employing new emblematic illustration work by Benjamin A. Vierling, who in keeping with our publishing style has produced fine illustrative ornaments and a fold-out plate depicting the aviary creatures of the text. These graphic elements complement the typographical details with an effect befitting a piece of fine Renaissance book art."


The book is to be released in September of 2010, and will be available in three unique editions, including a deluxe Athenian Wisdom edition, featuring full vellum binding, marbled endpapers, and gilt lettering. Reservations for pre-order are on a first come first serve basis, and can be made directly at Ouroboros.

Le Baiser de L'Oubli

Le Baiser de L'Oubli Poster Print

In the tradition of Fin de siècle parisian posters comes this graphic ode to the decadent era. Originally conceptualized as a book plate, Le Baiser de L'Oubli conjures visions of that indispensable antagonist from symbolist literature, the Vampyr. Oblivion's deadly kiss fans the flames of macabre passions.

The image is now available as a 16" x 22.5" 3 color Poster, hand silk screened at Monolith Press in California. Printed on acid free, recycled & archival ivory paper. Limited edition of 50. Hand numbered and signed.

The poster is available for sale via :AJNA:

Special thanks to my friend and colleague, David V. D'Andrea for his invaluable assistance with the technical production of this piece.

Apocalypse Sun

Artwork for the cover of Nightbringer's 'Apocalypse Sun', unleashed this month via the Ajna Offensive.

The album is currently available as a full length CD, and is scheduled to be released as a vinyl LP later in the summer.

Mandragora officinarum

Mandragora officinarum in print.

My painting of the fabled Mandrake plant appears on the cover of a newly published book by Licia Giaquinto, titled La ianara, published by Adelphi Edizioni, Milan, Italy. The book is currently available only in the Italian language, and may be obtained through the publisher.

The original painting resides in a private collection.

On The Powers of the Sphinx

Ajna Records has released it's latest cult musical offering, a full length LP titled On The Powers of the Sphinx, for which I have created all the artwork. The record is available through Ajna.

The following is from the record label press release:

" The allegory of the Sphinx points to Man. Both are composed of the four Elements, but in Man they exist in different proportions and are unbalanced, while in the Sphinx the Elements are harmonious and synergistic. The Sphinx represents the perfected Man, the Magus. The Four Powers of the Sphinx are "the four words of the Magus," the "four indispensable conditions" which bring Man to the state of perfection and balance.

Confronting the Riddle through image, painter Benjamin Vierling has created a series of visuals that demonstrate the fourfold process of the Sanctum Regnum. Beginning with the cover illustration, the initiate passes beyond the threshold, like Oedipus, into the impermeable spheres, wherein each performer has conjured a musical rite for one of the elemental quadrants, the intention being sealed with a unique glyph. The synthesis and transmutation is sealed on the obverse of the presentation."

New Album Artwork Released

Exclusive Artwork for the newly released Spectral Lore II album, on Temple or Torturous Records.

The imagery was created specifically for this epic recording, which is presented via a four panel digisleeve with booklet.

The CD is available through ToT Records.

Resvrgere in Los Angeles

A small painting titled Resurgere will be making an appearance in Los Angeles this month, at the La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles, as part of their eclectic Everything but the Kitsch 'N Sync group show. The exhibit runs through March 28th, with an opening reception tonight, the 5th of March, from 8 to 11 pm.

Interested viewers can see the listing for the painting here. The piece measures 11" x 14", is framed, and is rendered in acrylic on panel. The final image also features the text 'Resvrgere' rendered as an engraving on the plaque, beneath the pyre from which the Phoenix is ascending. Inquiries can be made to the La Luz de Jesus Gallery.

Resvrgere was also recently featured on the cover of an alchemical book distributed by Red Wheel Weiser Books in San Francisco titled, The Way of the Crucible, by the renowned contemporary alchemist, Robert Allen Bartlett.

Exhibition Update.

The 7 Year Itch group show at the Strychnin Gallery has been heralded as a great success, and has received favorable reviews.

Some images of the show on opening night, as well as a few of my pieces in context. Photos appear courtesy of Strychnin Gallery & M.Benecke.




Also very pleased to announce that my painting titled, Woman with Beast is now sold. It will be taking up residence in an illustrious private collection.

The Boxed Vanitas, and Memento Mori paintings are currently still available. Please inquire at the Strychnin Gallery.

Memento Mori in Berlin

A recently completed painting, Memento Mori will be exhibited in Berlin, Germany as part of the upcoming 7 Year Itch group show at the Strychnin Gallery.




The memento mori themed painting, also titled 'Schädel auf dem Tisch mit einer Motte', is rendered in egg tempera and oil paint on canvas, and measures 24" x 18" (61cm x 46cm)

Two smaller works that elaborate on the same theme will also hang in this show: Boxed Vanitas, and Miniature Memento Mori.






The show opens Friday, the 12th of February, and runs through March 7th, 2010. Anyone who is in Berlin during this time is invited to stop in to view the paintings.

The Strychnin Gallery is located at Boxhagenerstrasse 36. Berlin. Germany