“A man alone is small, but art provides the opportunity to express the greatness of being human.”

BENITO ORTEGA

Benito was born in Mexico City in 1951. From the age of ten it became clear that he had artistic abilities. He developed an understanding that art was to be his calling, but he needed the means to find the right manner of expression. Always restless and seeking, he attended schools and workshops looking for the outlet until he came across scuplting. The San Carlos Academy, the National Institute of Fine Arts, National Autonomous University of Mexico, the Casa de Cultura de Oaxaca would realize his artistic training. In 1981 he began to publicize his work at events and exhibitions. In his formative years he realized how little support is given to the development of art and did not forget this insight. Thus, in 1981 founded, together with other artists, the Taller de Grafica Libre Oaxaca and in 1983, in the city of Taxco, became cofounder of the Institute of Visual Arts of Taxco and began his work as a teacher.
Taxco, universal cultural heritage and mining town, known for its architectural beauty, is where Benito decided to build his first personal production studio in 1985.

In 2008 he moved to Baja California Sur in the town of Todos Santos, an official "Pueblo Magico" ("Magical Town") designated by the Mexican government. It provides a seaside inspiration for his work. A permanent exhibition showcases his work and keeps him in touch with the public who visit his studio gallery. It's where he now unleashes his creativity, and where his hands move with skill, talent and discipline to give life to these images of beings and forms, blending Greco-Latin and indigenous mythologies to give rise to its own cosmogony and style

1979 – Exhibition Of Sculpture "El Taller Libre De Escultura " At The Casa Del Cultura In Oaxaca Mexico.
1980 – Exhibition "Current and Internal Rhythms "
the 7 Princes Gallery Oaxaca, Mexico
1982 – Art Show at The Poliforum Oaxacan
Cultural Siqueiros Cd. De Mexico
1982 – "Inland" Exhibition at The Gallery Of The
National Institute Of Fine Arts
1982 – Exhibition of Sculptors from Oaxaca in Fonapas,
Oaxaca
1984 – Exhibition at The Institute Of Visual Arts
Taxco, Gallery Taxco Del Monte
1984 – Exhibition Of Arts Teachers at The Institute In
Gallery Guerrerense, Institute Of Culture
Taxco, Gro.
1984 – Exhibition of Guerrero Masters at the Hotel Camino Real
Mexico City
1985 – Selected for three-year sculpture bursary,
"National Institute of Fine Arts"
National Cd. De Mexico
1985 -Travelling Exhibition "Coyoacan Workshops Gallery" in Mexico City
1987 – Exhibition at the "Gallery Hippocampus" Cancun,
Q. Roo, Mexico
1987 – Exhibition Of Taxco Visual Arts in Casa Del Lago, Mexico City
1988 – Permanent Exhibit in "Workshop Los Ballesteros"
Mexico City
1990 – Permanent Exhibit in "Workshop Los Ballesteros"
Taxco Gro. Mexico
1996 – Exhibition at "Mining Museum" in Tehuilotepec
Taxco Gro. Mexico
2001- Exhibition "Taxco Artists" In Tribute To Maestro Jaime Oates
at Casa Borda, Taxco Gro. Mexico
2002 – Exhibition "Paths And Shapes, Yearnings And Chimeras " in
the William Spratling Museum Taxco Gro. Mexico
2004 – Exhibition "In Memoriam" Victor Segura at Casa Borda
Taxco Gro. Mexico
2004 – Exhibition "From Various Points," Spaces Gallery
Iguala, Gro. Mexico
2006 – Exhibition "Deep Town" , Museum Of The Flag in
Iguala, Gro. Mexico
2006 – Mexican Art Exhibit "Dialogue Without Borders"
Convention Center Los Angeles U.S.A.
2006 - Exhibition "Behind These Walls " in Self Help
Graphics & Arts, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
2007 – Exhibition "Feeling Is All" Casa Borda, Taxco, Guerrero
(February)
2007 – Exhibition Museum Of The Flag, Iguala, Gro.
(June)
2007 – Exhibition Mother Earth Gallery "Time And Space"
(July)
2007 – Exhibition At "The Palace Of Culture"
Chilpancingo Gro. (Sept.-Oct.)
2008 – Exhibition at "The Third Dimension", Carlos Olachea Gallery, La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
2013- EXPOSICIÓN "DESDE EL MAR, LUZ Y ESPERANZA" CENTRO CULTURAL DE LA PAZ (MARZO).
2013 - EXPOSICIÓN "TIERRA DE CALAFIA" EDIFICIO EL MORO DE LA LOTERÍA NACIONAL, CIUDAD DE MEXICO (JULIO).
2013 - EXPOSICIÓN "LA PAZ: PUERTO DE ILUSIÓN" EN EL AEROPUERTO INTERNACIONAL, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO.
2014-EXHIBITION IN "GIANDI MONARDO GALLERY" CABO SN. LUCAS B.C.S.

2015- EXPOSICIÓN "A MAN ALONE IS SMALL" AT  BLACK BEAN GALLERY IN SAN JOSÉ CALIFORNIA, USA.

AWARDS AND HONORS

1983 – Award (Gold Medal) in the National Silver Contest
Taxco Gro. Mexico
1985 – 1st. Place in the in National Silver Competition
Taxco Gro. Mexico
1986 – Recognition For Collaboration and Self Development at The Institute Of Visual Arts, Taxco Gro.
1990 – 1st place in Sculpture in the National Silver Contest, Taxco Gro. Mexico
1994 – 1st. Place in Sculpture in National Silver Contest
Gro Taxco. Mexico
1996 – Recognition by the Municipal Commissioner
Tehuilotepec Gro. for Promotion of
Culture and the Arts
2000 – 1st. Place in Silver in National Competition,
Sculpture Branch