The Johnson Art Collection is proud to present the exciting abstract contemporary improvisational work of Los Angeles based artist/actor Philippe Benichou at the West Hollywood gallery.

Philippe Benichou's work (in oil, mixed media, pastels, digital art, Japanese inks, and painted masks) has been described as "improvisational abstract expressionism with a free and intense use of color." His work is expressed in unusual textures, shapes, compositions and color coordinations, resulting in unexpected dynamics, rhythms and relationships. Gallery owners and critics have hailed his work as: "visually exciting and conceptually compelling," "the colors are extraordinary and the images striking," and "exhilarating."

His art has been exhibited throughout France, including Paris and St. Tropez, and in Brussels, Switzerland, London, and St. Barts in the Caribbean. Last year he had a solo exhibit at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. His show at the Johnson Art Collection will comprise works in mixed media and oil on canvas and paper as well as Japanese inks and masks.

Currently residing in Topanga, CA, Benichou has lived and worked in the United States since 1978. Born in French occupied Algeria in 1957 to a family of French and Jewish heritage, he moved to Nantes, France, as a small child. Coming from a family of artists, he began studying painting and art history as a youth with his late mother, artist Arlette Oger, and was also influenced at an early age by his artist uncle, Jean Oger. He graduated from the Aristide Briand Art Institute in Lons Le-Saunier, France, pursued studies in theatre arts at the Sorbonne, and holds a degree in Film and Television from New York University. He continued to study art privately and was influenced and encouraged greatly by artist, sculptor and art educator Francis Coelho in San Francisco.

Known to the theatrical world as Eric Stone, Benichou's very successful acting career includes roles in several movies and recurring characters on television in "Days of Our Lives," "General Hospital," "The Bold and The Beautiful", and "Santa Barbara." While living in New York, he studied with Uta Hagen, Herbert Berghof, Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler and worked extensively on the New York stage. He was in the original cast of Plenty on Broadway and performed at the New York Shakespeare Festival. In Los Angeles, he has created dozens of voices for animated cartoons, including Rugrats and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and has shot and recorded hundreds of voice over and on camera spots. Reknowned as a teacher, he is the founder and head coach of the Hollywood Actor's Studio.

For further information about the Philippe Benichou show, call the Johnson Art Collection (leave but do not link to him) at 323-655-5738.

The artist's work can also be viewed on the web at the artist's website, http://www.philippebenichou.com.

The Johnson Art Collection is located at 8304B Melrose Avenue, just west of Sweetzer. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and by appointment.