Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center's 2004 Annual Invitational

Gloria Benedetti Seneres: A Retrospect photo by Brenda Berg, 2004

July 21-August 14, 2004

Brenda Berg & Linda Levy, Curators

With that encouragement and family support, in 1944 Seneres applied for and was accepted into New York's Cooper Union School of Art and Sciences (left). She majored in Fine Arts and graduated with honors four years later. She then traveled to Mexico to study Mexican History and Spanish. Already greatly influenced by Cubism, Seneres decided to move to Paris and study at the Atelier of French Analytic Cubist Fernand Léger. Seneres' paintings, hand-made papers, found objects, and sculptures reflect a strong dialogue with the rich tactile surfaces and materials of Braque, Picasso, Léger, and other Cubists.

Benedetti Seneres' studies in France were followed by a migration across England, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy. Her continued world travels enriched her life and her work.She returned to America and accepted a position as assistant Art Director to McFadden Publication. In 1950 she met and married John Seneres, who, after marrying and divorcing him twice, has remained a lifetime friend. A journalist, Seneres has been credited with the prolific and stunning documentation of Benedetti Seneres, her artwork, and her exhibitions.

Benedetti Seneres earned a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from New York University and was accepted into their MFA Program. She moved back to Mexico and had her first one-person exhibition. During the next seven years she exhibited in five one-person exhibitions and participated in group shows at Belles Artes Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City. Mexico marked the beginning of a tour with her artwork to Japan, England, France and Italy.

After her first world tour, she moved to Nairobi with her family. In Africa, Benedetti Seneres taught art in a Kenya high school, worked on the African Wildlife Foundation Magazine, and continued to make and exhibit her artwork. Her work has been exhibited in fifteen one-person shows and she has participated in over fifty group shows throughout France, Italy, England, Japan, Kenya, Mexico and the United States.

In 1976, Seneres returned to the United States to begin building a house in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Although the opening of the "Seneres on Sixth" art gallery in New York's Lower East Side briefly interrupted the building project, Benedetti Seneres says that she "came back to my home in the Santa Cruz Mountains satisfied that I had seen a bit of the world."

In spite of, or perhaps because of, family tragedy and a tumultuous childhood, Gloria Benedetti Seneres has created a legacy of artwork that spans a remarkable 75 years. Always interested in new artmaking approaches, her artwork consistently demonstrates her willingness to experiment with ideas and artmaking practices. It is with great pleasure and pride that the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center offers the public a glimpse into the work and life of Gloria Benedetti Seneres in the Thomas Gallery from July 21st through August 14th, 2004. A discussion of the artwork and a slide presentation of the artist's travels were offered free to the public Wednesday nights from 7-8 PM, July 28th and August 11th, 2004.

Written by Brenda Berg