Explore the world with Bill Bensley’s Faroese Chronicle

Are you looking to travel the world and immerse yourself in a vibrant universe of color, humor, and storytelling, while also contributing to the community and the environment? Bill Bensley’s Faroese Chronicle art exhibition is the perfect opportunity for you to do just that, and more!

From April 21 to July 31, 2023, ART Space by MOCA BANGKOK at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok will showcase Bill’s artworks in an exhibition that brings together his signature bold colors, whimsy, and wit with an important cause: raising funds for conservation and community projects.

Here’s what you need to know about this unique and must-see art exhibition.

The Faroese Chronicle: A serious chronicle with a humorous twist

Bill Bensley’s Faroese Chronicle is a collection of 38 artworks that capture the soul of the Faroe Islands and its people.

The exhibition is a result of Bensley’s 15-year love affair with the Faroe Islands. It is a rather serious chronicle seen through the rose-tinted lens of the Faroese Knitting Club and Bensley’s love for that part of the world, but with trademark humor and bold colors.

“I’ve been visiting the Faroe Islands for 15 years and have built a wonderful relationship with 11 quirky, sometimes simply stark staring mad, but profoundly sincere friends,” Bensley said with a grin. 

“I have traveled with this small clique to a dozen countries and have learned that the Faroese people are open-minded, curious, and celebrate life like no one else. And now I am blessed to be the storyteller of a most obscure and untold chronicle,” he continued.

After a solid year of painting, Bensley’s Faroese Chronicle is ready.

Step into the world of art with Bensely’s Faroese Chronicle exhibit and you will gain insight into the Faroe Islands as more than a distant, picturesque wilderness in the Arctic Circle. The exhibit highlights the island’s close-knit community and its deep connection to its unique history.

Bensley’s art skillfully captures the soul of the Faroe Islands and its people. It promises to be enjoyable for critics and novices alike. 

“We are thrilled to have Bill as the next featured artist exhibition at the ART Space,” said Four Seasons Bangkok Regional Vice President and General Manager, Lubosh Barta.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with and becoming good friends with Bill for many years throughout my time in Thailand and I am continually impressed by his artistry. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us.”

Purpose-driven art: Raising funds for conservation and community projects

Bensley is a concerned conservationist and passionate philanthropist who works tirelessly to raise funds for the Shinta Mani Foundation outreach projects in Cambodia.

The Faroese Chronicle exhibition is no exception, with 100% of the proceeds raised through the sale of the artworks going directly to these projects.

Prices range from USD6,000 to USD8,500, and each artwork will be assigned to raise funds for a specific project covering the four pillars of the Foundation; education, health care, conservation/environment, and direct assistance.

The projects consist of multiple initiatives aimed at helping different causes. Some of these initiatives are providing scholarships to students at the Shinta Mani Hospitality School in Siem Reap, installing direct pipe systems and Kohler water filters to ensure clean water supply, and providing micro-loans for impoverished families. The micro-loans are utilized for various purposes, such as purchasing bicycles for children to facilitate their attendance at school.

The Foundation also works closely with NGO Wildlife Alliance on several conservation and wildlife protection projects. 

Behind the Art Talk and Painting Master Class

As part of the exhibition, Bensley will be hosting an exclusive Behind the Art Talk at The Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, followed by a Painting Master Class on May 20, 2023.

The master class is an opportunity for art enthusiasts to learn from Bensley’s creative process. Additional details and timing will be announced on the @FSBangkok Instagram account in the coming weeks.

Bill Bensley’s Faroese Chronicle is an exciting and impactful art exhibition that showcases the beauty of the Faroe Islands and its people while contributing to the community and the environment. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a mindful traveler, or a philanthropist, this exhibition is a must-see.

Don’t miss this opportunity to travel the world with Bensley and the Faroe Knitting Club, and to make a real difference in the lives of local villagers and families in Cambodia.

Who is Bill Bensley?

Bill Bensley is a jack of all trades—with a new notch on his belt! Having delved into the worlds of architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, fishing and even writing, Bensley is now adding the fine arts to his already impressive skill set.

Bill did not have a natural talent for painting, but he discovered his passion for it in the last three years with the help of his dear friend and Caribbean-based artist, Kate Spencer. Bill learned from Kate and started painting regularly.

After a few years, and several painting holidays with Kate, Bill now draws and paints wherever he goes, and whenever he has a minute to spare—on airplanes, while on site visits, or even using the back of menus.

Bill’s artwork features a fauvist style bursting with vivid colors, delightful forms, often a touch of humor, and his trademark gift for storytelling. As someone who did not have any formal art education, he considers himself an “outsider” in the art world.

About the ART Space by MOCA BANGKOK at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River

The innovative ART Space at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River has emerged from a partnership with MOCA BANGKOK.

Located in the Bangkok Creative District, art and creativity take center stage as imaginative Thai artists offer guests a unique opportunity to immerse in the local creative landscape without leaving the hotel.

Under the joint initiative, the hotel displays a selection of impeccably curated Thai works of art by MOCA BANGKOK. Exhibits rotate regularly, so Bangkok residents as well as returning Four Seasons guests can view new collections several times a year. The showcase at the hotel is an extension of the museum, a chance to appreciate fine art in an unconventional ambiance.

All images courtesy of Bill Bensley