About

Benjamin Mitchley

is an internationally successful South African artist, born on January 1, 1967, in the Free State. He pursued fine arts from 1985 to 1987 at the Vaal University of Technology and Tshwane University of Technology. As a dedicated full-time artist, Benjamin has built a multifaceted career as a fine artist, scenic artist, illustrator, 2D digital animator, and augmented reality artist. He provides consulting services and conducts workshops on 2D animation and augmented reality using the Artivive app. Additionally, he accepts commissions and collaborates with other artists to animate their works for the Artivive platform.

Experience

He held his first international art exhibitions in Germany in 2005 and 2006. From 2004 to 2016, he expanded his scenic artistry while working in Dubai, contributing to projects such as the IBN Battuta Mall, a sculpture project for the Dubai Municipality’s Horse Museum, and mural work for the Dubai IMG Worlds of Adventure indoor theme park. In South Africa, he was involved in the initial phase of the scenic project for Montecasino’s East-End Teatro and collaborated on scenic mural projects for television with Brian Rolfe.

Since 2010, as a self-taught animator, Benjamin created a short animated film for an SABC documentary and collaborated on corporate infographic animation projects. In 2013, he won first place in a medical animation competition hosted by the Iheed Institute. Technology plays a vital role in his creative process, with augmented reality enabling him to integrate animation with his artwork. In 2019, the introduction of the Artivive app allowed audiences to view his animated creations through smartphones or tablets, bringing his artwork to life. This innovative medium marked a new chapter for Benjamin, leading to exhibition collaborations with Artivive. His first such exhibition was held at the Venesia Hotel during Miami Art Basel in December 2021. He also participated in the 5th Ranetas VR Fest in Alcañiz, Spain, in 2019.

In 2020, Benjamin was recognized as one of the top 10 artists in the Artivive UN Peace Poster International Competition. From 2021 to 2024, he participated in and served as an animation AR consultant for The Junction’s Window Wonderland Augmented Reality event in Toronto, Canada. In 2022, a selection of his Artivive works was featured in the ‘Art + AR = New Experience’ exhibition hosted by Sunshine Studios in Korea. In 2023, his Artivive AR exhibitions, ‘Through the Portal’ and ‘Flights of Fancy,’ were showcased at the Illuseum in Berlin during Berlin Art Week as part of their ‘Parallel Realities’ exhibition. These artworks continue to be displayed at the Illuseum in Berlin.

Benjamin continues to seek new ideas and experiment with different styles and techniques, driven by an endless pursuit to create innovative and original works.

This is what Benjamin says about his recent work

“From a young age, I’ve been captivated by animation, but as a self-taught animator, I struggled to find a meaningful way to present my creations to the public. As a fine artist, I longed to bring my artworks to life, but simply displaying animations on TV screens felt disconnected from the experience I envisioned. In 2019, I discovered the Artivive app, which allowed me to merge traditional art with augmented reality, realizing my dream of animated, interactive artworks.

Augmented reality has profoundly influenced my creative process, transforming my figurative pieces into dynamic, immersive experiences. I’ve always envisioned my characters moving, speaking, and expressing emotions as if they were alive. With AR technology, I’ve been able to translate that vision into reality, adding depth and movement that enriches the viewer’s connection to my work.

My art explores versatile and often whimsical themes, characterized by a playful, light-hearted approach that invites viewers to bring their own interpretations. The fun and tongue-in-cheek elements in my creations are driven by my inner child, ensuring that each person has a unique experience. Through interactive AR elements, I aim to spark the imagination and engage audiences of all ages, encouraging them to spend more time with the artwork and explore it closely.

By animating the characters in my work, I hope they interact with the audience on a more personal level. As younger generations increasingly gravitate toward technology, I see augmented reality as a bridge between traditional and digital art, drawing them into the art world in a fresh and captivating way.”

Exhibitions

Sanlam Vuleka exhibition, 2003, 2004 & 2012.
Strada restaurant, Munich, 2005/2006.
Koenig Bistro, Munich, 2006.
Hof Christmas market, DE, 2006.
The Studio art gallery, group exhibition, Clarens, 2007.
Richard Renni gallery, Clarens, 2007.
Solo – ‘Spirit’, The Arts Association of Bellville (ArtB), CPT, 2008.
‘My Country, My Land’, Hyde Park Gallery, JHB, 2009.
‘Green, Organic, Nature, Nurture’, Hyde Park, JHB. Food & Trees for Africa, 2009.
2nd Annual Group Miniature exhibition, Art Lovers 1932 Gallery, 2013.
Portugal Day, group exhibit, Art Lovers 1932,2013.
Don’t let that Horse, Ode to Chagall, group exhibition, Art Lovers 1932, 2013.
Turbine Art Fair, JHB, 2013.
Art Lovers 1932 – Erotica group exhibition 2013.
Art Lovers 1932 – Mixed Media Duo exhibition with J van Staden with Gordon Froud – Alice in Wonderland group exhibition, 2013.
PTA Art Association members exhibition, 2016.
Annual Group Miniature exhibition, Art Lovers 1932 Gallery, 2017.
Solo – Moments, Trent Gallery, PTA, 20 Apr 2018.
‘At Midnight’ group exhibit, JVH Gallery, 2018.
The Unexpected group exhibit, The Viewing Room, 2018.
Solo – ‘Moments 2′, JVH Gallery, 13 Sept to 22 Sept 2018.
‘Postcards from the edge’ JVH Gallery, 2019, 2020, 2021
Solo – ‘Characters & Concepts‘, Long Street Art Lovers 1932, 31 Jan – 12 Feb 2019.
‘Ophelia‘ group exhibition, Trent Gallery, 2019.
Language of Light: Photography exhibition, Long Street Art Lovers 1932, 2019.
‘Magnificent Moving Machines’, JVH Gallery, 2019.
Solo – ‘Characters & Concepts 2‘, JVH Gallery, 1 – 27 Jun 2019.
‘Landscapes of my childhood‘, JVH Gallery, 2019.
5th Ranetas VR Fest, Alcañiz (Spain,) 15 Nov – 1 Dec 2019.
‘0202/2020’ Palindrome Group Exhibit, ArtBox, PTA. 2 – 25 Feb 2020.
‘New Dimensions‘ group exhibit’, curated by B Mitchley, JVH Gallery, 28 Jun 2020.
Artivive UN Peace Poster Exhibition, UN Secretariat Building, NY 2020.
‘Winged Creatures‘ group exhibit, JVH Gallery, 2020.
‘2020’ group exhibit, JVH Gallery, Dec 2020.
‘Still Life Kudos’, JVH Gallery, 2021.
‘The Rabbit’s Foot’ group exhibit, JVH Gallery, 2021
‘Connectivity’, group exhibit, JVH Gallery, 2021.
Solo – ‘Flights of Fancy‘, JVH Gallery, Sept 2021.
This Is Art Expo, CTICC, 26 Nov 2021.
Artivive – ‘Characters & Concepts’, Miami Art Basil Artivive AR Cocktail, Venezia Hotel Miami, 4 Dec 2021.
Artivive ‘ART+AR= NEW EXPERIENCE‘, Sunshine studios, Korea, 15 Apr. to 14 Oct. 2022.
‘Muse’ pop-up outdoor Artivive AR gallery, Donaukanal, Vienna, Austria 2022, 2023 & 2024.
Solo – ‘Through The Portal‘, JVH Gallery, Oct 2022 & Art of Silver, Cullinan, Nov 2022 to Feb 2023.
Artivive collaboration – MoBu International Art Fair of Bucharest in Romania, 19 to 28 May 2023.
‘Parallel Realities‘, Illuseum in collaboration with Artivive, Berlin Art Week, 14 – 20 Sept. 2023.
Annual Postcards group exhibition, JVH Gallery, January 2024.
‘Shades of Red‘ group exhibition, JVH Gallery, February 2024.
‘What the Funk‘ group exhibition, JVH Gallery, June 2024.
‘Underdog‘ trio group exhibition with Diek Grobler & AJ Chappy Holtshauzen, JVH Gallery, July 2024.
Shcha 7 sec Animated Film Festival, part of the @Supertoon – International Animation and Comics Festival, 22 – 26 July 2024 in Šibenik, Croatia.
The Junction Laneway Augmented Reality Project, Jackson Place off Keele Street, Toronto Canada, 2024.
The Junction Window Wonderland Augmented Reality Project, Toronto Canada, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
Art in Motion, Solo Exhibition, JVH Gallery, October 2024.
The Masters Re-imagined, Group Exhibition, JVH Gallery, April 2025.
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Group Exhibition, JVH Gallery, August 2025.
Curious Collective, Group Exhibition, JVH Gallery, August 2025.
Postcard Group exhibition, JVH Gallery, January 2026.