Painting and Drawing
The evolution of a mark: stories and visions behind every piece.
A journey through the years showing how my visual research has shifted. Here you'll find the works, ideas, and intentions behind each creation.
2026 | Identita binarie
What remains of our identity when it is translated into sequences of zeros and ones?
Binary Identities was born from the desire to observe, as a neutral spectator, the digital mimesis that pervades everyday life.
To give visual form to this dichotomy, I integrated the use of a binary code stamp into my graphite portraits.
The serial imprint of the ink replaces the key elements of the face—eyes, nose, and mouth—or divides its structure in half, contrasting with the hyperrealistic detail of the drawing.
The cotton fiber of Amatruda paper and the fluidity of water thus accommodate a rigid and calculated mark, transforming each work into a field of investigation into the loss or redefinition of the human.
2024-2025 | Mirrors
In his words, antifragility goes beyond resilience: it is the ability to improve and thrive in the face of adversity.
In each portrait, I explored the solitude and courage of those who seek personal improvement.The portrait titles serve to create a connection with the viewer's inner world, aiming to capture moods or raise existential questions.
I wanted to create images that were not simply representations of faces; the intent was to create mirrors (hence the title of the series) that reflect the depths of the human soul of those who view them.The individuals depicted in these artworks are those who benefit from challenges, randomness, disorder, and stress.
They don't simply remain unchanged; they grow and improve.
All works are created using watercolour graphite on fine Amalfi Amatruda paper, 100% cotton.
2025 lovers
A limited series of drawings dedicated to love in all its nuances: a visual journey through emotional closeness and human connection.The subjects—female figures, pairs of lovers, family bonds—fully occupy the composition, centered and direct.
The titles of the works are keys that open narrative worlds, exploring love in its most authentic forms:
- Love that sustains us: Two friends.
- Love as refuge and purpose: My safe harbor is you, You are the key to my happiness, A love to live.
- Love in the decisive moment: This kiss will transform me forever, Between our lips and our gazes.
I created all the works with pencil and watercolor graphite on fine Amalfi Amatruda paper, 100% cotton, using a square format with varying dimensions.
About
Born in Rome, where currently lives and works.
The work focuses on pencil drawings and water-soluble graphite on handmade Amatruda paper.
The research is centered on the representation of everyday life.
Drawing is used as a tool for inner investigation, capable of conveying an authentic image of daily life and creating a space for deep reflection with the viewer.
The aim is to develop an increasingly pure and essential visual language, able to engage in dialogue with the tradition of drawing and, at the same time, to respond to contemporary aesthetics.
In these works, people are portrayed in informal moments: conversations, waiting, moments of rest or intimacy. These are scenes of social interaction or emotional connection, sometimes arising from personal experiences, sometimes inspired by the media and the surrounding reality.
Through the exploration of human relationships, vulnerability, and relational dynamics, the intimate dimension is transformed into a visual narrative.
CV
Name: Ennio
Surname: Benaia
Place of birth: Rome
e-mail: info@enniobenaia.it
web: www.enniobenaia.it
SOLO EXIBITION
2014
Rome - Breathe: Ennio Benaia. BrasilAsia: Monica Cosimi. Cultural Ass. Gallery ABC art. Bi-personal.2009
Roma - Living colours - ass. culturale - Spazio Officina - Solo exhibition.2002
Roma - Due Pittura Personali: Marta Scatarzi, Benaia Ennio - ass. culturale Nabel Art Cafè.
Roma - Concreto Astratto: Marta Scatarzi, Benaia Ennio - ass. culturale Kukkumiao.
GROUP EXIBITION
2019
Piacenza - Twenty x twenty - Jelmoni studio gallery
2017
Calolziocorte (Lc) - Premio Brianza - Exhibition Space of the Monastero del Lavello.2015
Venice - Photissima art Fair. Cloister of the Frari.
Genova - Tra il bianco e il nero. Satura Art Gallery.2014
Genova - SaturARTE 19th national contemporary art competition. Satura Art Gallery.
2014
Rome - Premio arte per Oggi - Museo dell'Alto Medioevo.2013
Ferrara - Il Segno Award 2013 Palazzo della Racchetta. .
Oslo - Oslo City Collective Exhibition - S9 Gallery.2011
Béziers- 55th edition of the Salon International de la Société des Beaux-Arts de Béziers Salon international arts plastiques.2010
Lisbon - Arte e Emoção Colorida Galeria De Arte e Design.
New York - The International Artists at Home and Abroad Exhibition - The Broadway Gallery NYC.2009
Ancona - Premio Artemisia 2010 - Mole Vanvitelliana.
Rome - Rinassence open gallery - Rassegna "Lungo il tevere-chakra caffè".
Genoa - III Biennale of Contemporary Art GenovARTE - Palazzo Stella.
Palestrina - Natale di Praeneste - International Competition of Contemporary Art.
Rome - "ecCesso"-Studi Panama.
Rome - Emozioni - Exhibition of Contemporary Art and Literature ass. culturale - Spazio Officina2008
Rome - Rinassense - ass. culturale Happening.
Ancona - Artemisia Prize 2008 - National exhibition of contemporary figurative painting.2003
Roma - Il Locale incontra l'arte - ass. culturale Il Locale.2002
Roma - Il locale incontra l'arte - Collettiva - ass. culturale Il Locale
AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
2017 - Winner Premio Brianza - Spazio Espositivo del Monastero del Lavello.
2010 - Artist finalist Premio Artemisia - Rassegna nazionale di pittura figurativa contemporanea Ancona.
2009 - First Classified - Emozioni - II° Concorso Di Arte Contemporanea e Poesia e Letteratura -Spazio Officina.
2008 - Finalist Artist Artemisia Prize 2008 - National Review of Contemporary Figurative Painting Ancona.