AN ARTIST who has stuck with the unconventional medium of electrical tape is capturing the imagination of critics and art lovers in high profile exhibitions.

A former pupil of St Mary's Menston, and prior to that of Sacred Heart Primary School, Ilkley, Benjamin Murphy today works between Ilkley and London, and his work has featured in a number of prestigious exhibitions.

Benjamin, 27, has gained a reputation for his stark black and white images, crafted using black electrical masking tape.

He discovered the technique when he tried out using black tape during his studies as a student at Salford University, and after initial enthusiasm for his work, he chose to take the medium further.

His work featured in Wharfedale Newspapers in 2011.

"My work has come on a lot since then," says Benjamin. who is preparing to open his seventh solo exhibition in London on January 14.

"I have exhibited at the Houses of Parliament alongside Pablo Picasso, and at The Saatchi Gallery, as well as showing extensively throughout Europe, America, and Australia."

He believes he is the only artist to use this technique. Others have used tape, but usually add other elements to their artwork

As a graphic design student with a preference for illustration, Benjamin began trying out different drawing techniques, when he tried out the tape - and found he appreciated the clean lines it created, as well as the even tone of the black.

His work took off after he displayed it work in a pub and cafe in Manchester, earning commissions for projects around the country.

His first sale was made through Sotheby’s for Anti-Slavery international in 2012, and his first solo show, Abandon All Hope, came a few months later at Hoxton Gallery.

Much of his inspiration is drawn from poetry and classic literature, and many of the titles of his pieces come directly from authors such as;Thomas, Plath, Poe, Beckett, Baudelaire, Camus, Nabokov, Keats, Borges, Steinbeck, Burgess, and Byron.

His works are often un-posed portraits of a solitary figure situated within their homes, going about their daily lives with no concern for the viewer's gaze.

In 2014 he exhibited at the Houses of Parliament alongside Picasso, and at Whitfield fine art alongside Damien Hirst, Gilbert & George, Marc Quinn, and Cecily Brown.

In 2015, he exhibited Saatchi Gallery in the Jealous 50×50 exhibition.

His new solo exhibition, Gilded Chaos, will open at Beers Contemporary gallery in London on January 14.

Visit benjaminmurphy.info for more information on the artist or see beerslondon.com/exhibitions/gilded-chaos for further details of the exhibition.