COS26 An Interview with Ben Cavanagh

Posted by Jazmine Saunders on 3rd April, 2026

• Chichester Art Trail

  Was there a moment when you thought “art might be part of my life”?

  Ben Cavanagh

  I’ve always created from a young age — I was the kid in the corner drawing robots and monsters.

  But the real turning point came in college, when I was commissioned to paint a series of murals for a restaurant chain. At 17, it was mind-blowing to realise I could actually get paid to paint on walls. That’s when it started to feel like something more than just a hobby.

  Photographic Credit: Ben Cavanagh

• Chichester Art Trail

  What do you hope people feel when they see your work?

  Ben Cavanagh

  I try to create bright, colourful pieces that offer a bit of escape from the everyday.

  Something playful and unexpected — work that makes people pause, feel something positive, and hopefully leave with a smile.

  Photographic Credit: Ben Cavanagh

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  Chichester Art Trail

  What do you create with, and have you always used this medium?

  Ben Cavanagh

  At the moment, I mainly work with spray paint, acrylics, and inks.

  Most of my ideas begin digitally — I use a pen and tablet to sketch concepts before bringing them into physical form.

  Those digital pieces often take on a life of their own too, becoming prints, T-shirts, and stickers. It’s a nice way of extending the work beyond walls and canvases.

  Photographic Credit: Ben Cavanagh

• Chichester Art Trail

  Is there an artist, place, or experience that shaped your work?

  Ben Cavanagh

  Discovering Japanese animation when I was younger had a big impact — it really sparked my love of character design and fantasy themes.

  Later, growing up in London — especially spending time in Camden — I was surrounded by street art. That environment had a huge influence on the scale, energy, and accessibility of the work I make today.

  Photographic Credit: Ben Cavanagh

• Chichester Art Trail

  Is there something new you’re itching to try?

  Ben Cavanagh

  I’d really like to explore sculpture more — working with materials like wood or clay, or even experimenting with 3D printing.

  I’m interested in how my characters and ideas could translate into physical, three-dimensional forms.

  Photographic Credit: Ben Cavanagh

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  Chichester Art Trail

  Messy studio or tidy studio?

  Ben Cavanagh

  I wish I could say tidy… I do try — but it’s definitely more on the messy side.

  There’s a kind of organised chaos to it, my wife may disagree though!

  Photographic Credit: Ben Cavanagh

• Chichester Art Trail

  Why should people experience art in person rather than just online?

  Ben Cavanagh

  Seeing art in person creates a completely different connection. You can really appreciate the texture, the brushstrokes, the layers of spray — all the details that often get lost on a screen.

  I also love how accessible street art is. You can encounter it unexpectedly, just going about your day, and it can genuinely shift your mood or perspective.

  Photographic Credit: Ben Cavanagh

• Chichester Art Trail

  Did anyone encourage you creatively when you were young?

  Ben Cavanagh

  My parents were always really supportive of my creativity.

  They encouraged me to pursue art through college and university, which made a big difference in giving me the confidence to take it seriously.

  Photographic Credit: Ben Cavanagh

• Chichester Art Trail

  If you couldn’t make art, what would you miss most?

  Ben Cavanagh

  I’d really miss the freedom to experiment — trying out different materials and seeing how they behave in different conditions.

  I’d also miss the simple act of sketching — drawing from imagination or capturing things I see day-to-day.

  Photographic Credit: Ben Cavanagh

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  Chichester Art Trail

  What might visitors be surprised to learn about you?

  Ben Cavanagh

  I actually came to spray paint quite late. I started out mainly working in pen and ink.

  Spray paint felt quite intimidating at first — it can seem unpredictable — but once I started to understand how to control it, it completely changed things.

  There’s something amazing about being able to cover large spaces with colour and energy in such a dynamic way.

  Photographic Credit: Ben Cavanagh