The Art of Lobster Buoys: Benjamin Williamson Unveils a New Direction at The Gallery in Readfield, Maine
There’s something distinctly captivating about the Maine coast. It’s a place where the land meets the sea in a jagged, unpredictable line, where weathered wood, choppy waters, and the quiet hum of a working harbor define the landscape. For photographer Benjamin Williamson, some of the most utilitarian and granular facets found scattered along the Maine coast comprise the essence of his latest exhibition, “Lobster Buoys as Art.” On display at The Gallery in Readfield, Maine, this limited-edition fine art photo series invites viewers to immerse themselves in the gritty, vibrant world of Maine’s coastal culture, distilled into strikingly textural and color-rich images.
If you’ll indulge me… Before diving into why this exhibition is a must-see, I want to personally reflect on Benjamin Williamson’s incredible journey.
As Steve Jobs famously said, ‘You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.’ Looking back, it almost seems inevitable that Benjamin would eventually find his way to the fine art world — and that lobster buoys would somehow be involved. Yet, the artistic path (especially as it’s unfolding before us) is often a mysterious one, filled with subtle whispers rather than clear directions. But we do leave some dots along the way.
Back in 2016, just a few years after Benjamin decided to get serious about photography, he was putting forth incredible effort and capturing some of the most technically proficient, perfectly composed, and undeniably iconic images of Maine landscapes that had ever been taken. His photos were attracting big attention on social media. People everywhere were noticing. I noticed, too.
I’m pretty certain I was the first artist / art critic to write about Benjamin Williamson’s photography from a fine art perspective in a dedicated arts publication. In the March/April 2016 “10th Anniversary” issue of Artscope Magazine, my profile of Benjamin became the cover feature.
In a response to one of my questions for the Artscope Magazine article, Benjamin replied: “One thing about photographing coastal Maine, is that a large audience exists of people who have strong personal connections, feelings, and memories related to the places in my images. I head out into the field with the intention of trying to share a bit of who I am and what I’m interested in. I want the viewer to be transported, I want them to feel something.”
A few months later, in June of 2016, my wife Charlene and I invited Benjamin to take part in our Artist-in-Residence program at the (former) Hartwell House Inn of Ogunquit, Maine (where we were the innkeepers).
In an article for Ogunquit Barometer (see it here) that featured photography work Benjamin had created during his stay with us, he answered another interview question of mine by stating: “Loving the land and caring for the land is such a huge part of who I am and that’s naturally going to come across in my photography. But I feel that it’s important to also note that taking care of things doesn’t always mean leaving them absolutely wild. Sometimes it means managing the land and having industries that coexist harmoniously with the land. That’s why I love the lobstering along the coast of Maine and other things I see as sustainable practices, and highlighting those.”
Fast forward to 2024 and here we are. Benjamin Williamson is having his first real gallery show, “Lobster Buoys as Art,” at The Gallery in Readfield, Maine. He’s sharing a bit of who he is and what he’s interested in. He’s highlighting lobstering along the coast of Maine. He’s transporting viewers. He’s making them feel something. His dots are connecting.
SCROLL DOWN AND CONTINUE READING…
First… The Gallery in Readfield, Maine and Its Community Focus
Situated in the small village of Readfield, Maine, The Gallery is an art venue worthy of a few flattering words right up front. Since its founding in 2019 by local artist Camille Davidson, this commission-free and non-business space (indeed, Maine’s only commission-free gallery) has been a labor of love dedicated to building connections between artists and their community. The Gallery’s mission revolves around fostering creativity, collaboration, and joy, offering artists a welcoming platform to share their work. It’s the perfect setting for Williamson’s deeply personal, visually engaging, and distinctly “Maine” exploration of lobster buoys as art. This is an art gallery AND exhibition well-worth the trip!
Photo courtesy: The Gallery in Readfield
Benjamin Williamson’s Evolution as an Artist: Moving Beyond Iconic Landscapes
For those who know Benjamin Williamson’s work, this exhibition marks an exciting shift. Known for his dynamic wide-angle scenes that showcase Maine’s iconic landmarks and dramatic weather, Williamson has long been celebrated for capturing the region’s essence. However, “Lobster Buoys as Art” represents a new chapter—one where he delves into quieter, more nuanced narratives that reveal the hidden beauty in everyday objects.
In a social media statement announcing the exhibition, Williamson reflects on this transition, describing how his fascination with lobster buoys evolved from casual observation to a deeper exploration of their texture, color, and form. By re-imagining these three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional plane, he invites us to see them not just as functional tools of the trade, but as works of art in their own right. There’s a deceptive-simplicity and echoing-depth to this body of work that resonates with anyone familiar with Maine’s rugged coastline. The buoys, with their sun-faded paint and layers of weathering, poignantly evoke the passage of time and the enduring human connection to the sea.
Stepping into The Gallery to view Williamson’s series is akin to being transported to a working lobsterboat harbor on a foggy Maine morning. The textures — chipped paint, frayed rope, and splintered wood — are rendered in exquisite and sharp detail, pulling you in, challenging you to discern the rich stories each buoy tells. Maritime stories. Stories of weather. Stories of work. Stories of the tourism economy. Stories of humanity.
The palette ranges from the bright, bold hues of freshly painted floats to the muted tones of buoys battered by years of sun, salt, and surf. It’s easy to get lost in the rich layers of color, peeling away like the buoy’s paint, revealing unexpected combinations beneath.
There’s a compelling narrative in these images. You can almost feel the grit of salt spray on your skin and hear the distant clatter of a lobster trap hauled aboard. It’s this sensory immersion that help elevate “Lobster Buoys as Art” into something much more than just a sterile photographic study of sea-based debris. This is an exploration of the underappreciated and unlikely places where the practical meets the poetic. The exhibition captures both the romance and the rugged reality of life by the sea.
Photos Included in the “Lobster Buoys as Art” at The Gallery in Readfield, Maine | Benjamin Williamson
Photos courtesy: Benjamin Williamson
Art in Utility: A Tribute to Lobstermen’s Unintentional Creativity
One of the most fascinating elements of this series is how it blurs the line between art and function. Williamson is quick to acknowledge that lobstermen likely don’t see themselves as artists when they paint their buoys, yet the individuality of each creation is undeniable. Whether it’s a carefully drawn stripe, a splash of color, or a rough-hewn letter, every buoy reflects a personality and tells a story. In this way, the series highlights the unintended artistry in something as utilitarian as a buoy, celebrating the creativity found in even the most functional of objects.
As you move from one print to the next, you begin to sense the themes of resilience and renewal. The layers of paint, slowly stripped away by the elements, reveal hints of what came before, reminding us of the ongoing battle between human endeavor and nature’s unyielding forces. Williamson’s work invites us to pause and appreciate these quiet moments of beauty in the ordinary, challenging us to see the world in new ways.
“Lobster Buoys as Art” is a must-see for anyone who loves the coast of Maine or who finds inspiration in the interplay between color, texture, and story. Through this fine art exhibition, Benjamin Williamson offers a deeply human window into the lives of those who work the waters while also delivering an aesthetic experience that teases the eye (and mind) with delicious layers of bold color and a highly enjoyable excess of elemental materiality.
The exhibition runs through September 2024 at The Gallery in Readfield.
Gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 10 AM to 12 PM, or by appointment.
Writing by Eric J. Taubert. Chef. Artist (Taubert Gallery). Fine art photographer. Writer. Marketing executive. Vintage cast iron enthusiast. Publisher of New England Innkeeper. Find him on Facebook at @newenglandinnkeeper + @taubertgallery. X at @erictaubert. Find him on Instagram at @newenglandinnkeeper + @taubertgallery.
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