‘‘Voice of Matter is a debut solo show by Timon Benson (b.1998, Manchester), an artist at the early stages of practice whose work is gaining significant national and international acclaim across the contemporary arts. This exhibition welcomes you to witness a key moment in Benson’s journey as he explores the possibilities of the photographic medium.

This show calls for a return to the very nature of the photograph. Benson investigates the intricacies of the human condition and the potential for human emotion to suspend time — a notion mirrored in the very act of photography.

At the centre of the exhibition is a question: What does it feel like to be incredibly alive? Benson pursues this idea across different modes of image-making. In the portraits, we see moments of tenderness and connection, often involving close friends. In the luminograms, light itself becomes the subject, recorded directly onto photosensitive paper without the use of a camera. These two practices speak to each other, forming a dialogue between clarity and abstraction. Light is choreographed as a unifying element, acting not just as a tool of photography but as a metaphor for emotional intensity and memory.

Voice of Matter marks a shift in Benson’s methodology. While Benson is known for his social documentary works of youth, family and friendship, this body of work marks an embrace of abstraction and intuition. Throughout this process, Benson surrenders to instinct as both a practical gesture and conceptual inquiry.

This exhibition is supported by GRAIN Projects, Southern and Partners, and Arts Council England’s Developing Your Creative Practice fund. Exhibited at Heaven 11 (01/10/2025 - 10/10/2025) with thanks to Louise Giovanelli.’’

Curated by Kymara Akinpelumi
Printed by Hatter Editions