Expressions of country's soul
By James Kon

Stephen Bennett painting 'Jennifer Khoo', his first art piece in Brunei

Aboriginal boy, one of Bennett's art works

Indigenous people are the soul of the country and art is one of the many voices that they can express themselves with, according to Stephen Bennett, a portrait painter whose passion runs deep into painting faces of indigenous people from all over the world.

Some of Bennett's best work is being displayed at the Lobby Lounge of the Empire Hotel and Country Club from today onwards till February 18. The exhibition is open 4pm to 7pm (from Mondays to Fridays) and 10am to 1pm (on weekends).

This is Bennett's first trip to Brunei.

Bennett will also be working on art pieces at the hotel, where the public is most welcome to see how he works on his art such as his unique way of stroking his paint brush and his choice of using bold colours.

His objectivity for creating such sensational art work is to share his experience of the diversity of human life with the world and to promote and preserve indigenous cultures in the United States, Mexico, St Martin, Panama, the Seychelles, Tanzania and Australia.

While his vision is educational, his art work teaches people to learn to look in a different way at something that could be quite ordinary.

Bennett is also the founder of "Faces of the World", a non-profit corporation in US with a mission to increase cultural pride and awareness of the importance of indigenous people. The corporation is funded from sales of Bennett's paintings, donations as well as sponsorship.

During his stay in Brunei, any interested individual who would like his/her portrait painted may contact Bennett at 2411290 or 8811604 or email stephenwbennett@hotmail.com.

Bennett also encouraged schools in Brunei to bring students to view his art exhibition. He hopes to teach and share some of his experiences with the youth in this part of the world.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin