Benjamin Sack is a name that rings many pleasant bells among fans and universal art enthusiasts alike.
Benjamin has been an artist aboard a Holland American cruise ship for over a decade. His journey began in 2014 after graduating from university with a passion for intricate pen-and-ink drawings. But one question lingered: How could he best share his art with the world? For him, the answer didn’t lie in the galleries, but in the boundless expanse of the open seas.
He approached the cruise company seeking an opportunity as an “artist residency.” He proposed giving passengers drawing classes and art lectures and creating large-scale drawings to commemorate each voyage.
“Long story short, they loved the idea and welcomed me aboard, saying it would only happen this one year. Ten years later, I’m now the court artist to King Neptune himself,” Benjamin Sack said jokingly in an interview with My Modern Met.
Why sea is such a key theme in Benjamin Sack
Benjamin Sack draws inspiration from the beauty of architecture and the intricate details of historical maps. His black-and-white urban artworks are rich in detail, often invoking awe and curiosity. These drawings are inspired by places they have visited aboard the ship, such as Africa, Antarctica, Asia, and beyond.
On Instagram, he recently shared the incredible view he gets from his artist studio aboard the cruise ship. Fans saw the sweeping vista of blue seas and dramatic horizons that inspired his passion and creativity. From this vantage point, Sack draws his inspiration because the ever-changing landscape infuses his work with the spirit of exploration. He also meets with people from different backgrounds and regions and believes this unique opportunity has influenced his art.
“On land, the drawings are fixed to the studio. On the ship, the studio travels, and the drawing records the movement of a journey around the planet—as I draw lines, a little bit of the ship’s movement is recorded; this slight nuance repeated a thousand times breathes a whole different spirit into the work,” he said. “Through my stateroom window, sunsets and sunrises depending on the ship’s trajectory from every time zone break across the drawing. Each year, I find the drawings become richer and richer. It’s magic!”
Between 2022 and 2024, Benjamin Sack’s travels spanned Africa and South America and even included two circumnavigations of the world. The ocean often marks his art, especially during the rough sea waters such as the Drake Passage between Cape Horn in South America and Antarctica. He says the challenging waters are part of the journey, and he even finds delight in drawing amid the ship’s gentle rocking.
Abstract drawings of cityscapes
Some of his best destinations include Florence and the iconic Florentine Duomo, which are prominently featured in many of his detailed cityscapes. This Italian cathedral is one of the greatest masterpieces of Gothic art and early Italian Renaissance architecture. Japan’s Himeji Castle, a stunning embodiment of traditional Japanese architecture, and the futuristic building of Singapore’s Marina Bay have also found their way into his artistic wonders.
Benjamin Sack’s pen-and-ink cityscapes evoke a sense of endless exploration. He combines historical and architectural etchings with a dreamlike quality that invites viewers to wander through each scene. For art buffs, these imaginary worlds feel simultaneously fantastical and familiar.
If you are familiar with 17th-century etchings of cities like London, you’ll notice a striking resemblance in his artwork. However, Benjamin Sack takes it a notch higher by blending elements of modernity, history, and fantasy. His artwork isn’t frozen in time; it gives the viewer “the bigger picture” by featuring medieval cathedrals beside futuristic skyscrapers and incorporating them into this vast cartography-style art masterpiece. It’s an architectural harmony that only exists in the imagination.
He has also held several exhibitions aboard Holland America cruise ships, including Peregrinations and Here Sails the Brave at Sea.
Imaginary worlds, real inspiration
Benjamin Sack’s drawings are often inspired by places he visits but are never a direct representation. Instead, he distills the essence of a city — its history, architecture, and culture — and integrates these elements into his artwork. The vast horizons of the sea, the unique aspect of every port, and the architectural marvels all subtly contribute to the eventual masterpiece.
Through his abstract renditions of cityscapes, Sack showcases his artistic prowess and invites viewers to contemplate the intersection of reality and imagination.
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