Ben Ashton

• Name — Ben Ashton • Born — 1983 • Birthplace — UK • Field — Portraiture • Notable Works — Human, featured on the Rag'n'Bone Man album • Education — Abingdon College, Newcastle University (BA), Slade School of Fine Art (MFA) • Website — www.BenAshtonArt.com

Ashton was born in London to an artist father and a mother who was a head of creative arts. He completed his Art Foundation at Abingdon College (2001–2002) with distinction. He went on to study at Newcastle University, graduating with a First Class BA (Hons) in Fine Art (2002–2006). He later completed his MFA in Painting at the Slade School of Fine Art, London (2006–2008).

Ashton’s work is characterised by the use of oil paint on canvas, panel, or paper, often resulting in photorealistic figures that are physically distorted, blurred, or obscured. • To Our Glorious Future: A series focusing on the Regency era and the birth of the British Empire. These works mimic the composition of historical portraiture (specifically the style of Thomas Lawrence) but introduce visual "glitches" or distortions to challenge the self-congratulatory nature of the genre. • The King is Dead, Long Live the King: A body of work that continues his exploration of historical subversion, featuring subjects in period costume with exaggerated physical warping. • Album Artwork: Ashton created the cover art for Rag'n'Bone Man’s debut album Human and AlunaGeorge’s Body Music, often collaborating with his wife, photographer Fiona Garden. • The Fashtons: Collaborative photographic and installation projects involving his wife, Fiona Garden, which explore their domestic and creative partnership.

Ashton has exhibited internationally in solo and group shows, as well as in major portraiture competitions. Selected Solo Exhibitions • 2025: Or You Could Panic, Corey Helford Gallery. • 2024: Weaponised Nostalgia, Dorothy Circus Gallery, Rome. • 2023: Before A Fall, Roq La Rue, Seattle. • 2021: To Our Glorious Future, Roq La Rue, Seattle. • 2016: The King is Dead, Long Live the King, The Cob Gallery, London. • 2011: At Home with the Ashtons, Simon Oldfield Gallery, London. Selected Group Exhibitions • 2025: Rendered Reality, StolenSpace Gallery, London. • 2024: Phantasmagoria, Roq La Rue, Seattle. • 2021: Lucid, Beinart Gallery, Melbourne. • 2012 & 2014: BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, London.