Sadie Benning
Pain Thing
Wexner Center for the Arts
Sadie Benning
Pain Thing
Wexner Center for the Arts
Sadie Benning: Pain Thing
"Pain Thing" Installation view
"Sadie Benning: Pain Thing" at Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH (February 1, 2020–April 26, 2020)
Installation view
Installation view
"Pain Thing," Installation View
"Sadie Benning: Pain Thing" at Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH (February 1, 2020–April 26, 2020)
Installation view
Installation view
"Pain Thing" Installation view
"Sadie Benning: Pain Thing" at Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH (February 1, 2020–April 26, 2020)
Installation view
Installation view
"Pain Thing," Installation View
"Sadie Benning: Pain Thing" at Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH (February 1, 2020–April 26, 2020)
Installation view
Installation view
"Pain Thing," Installation View
"Sadie Benning: Pain Thing" at Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH (February 1, 2020–April 26, 2020)
Installation view
Installation view
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Detail of Sequence 1, "69"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 1, "69")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 1, "69")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 2, "Bloody Mickey"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 2, "Bloody Mickey")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 2, "Bloody Mickey")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 3, "Delaware"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 3, "Delaware")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 3, "Delaware")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 4, "IUD"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 4, "IUD")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 4, "IUD")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 5, "Intruder"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 5, "Intruder")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 5, "Intruder")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 6, "7Up"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 6, "7Up")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 6, "7Up")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 7, "Cake"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 7, "Cake")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 7, "Cake")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 8, "Tylenol"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 8, "Tylenol")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 8, "Tylenol")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 9, "Untitled"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 9, "Untitled")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 9, "Untitled")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 10, "Epcot"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 10, "Epcot")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 10, "Epcot")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 11, "Peaceful Look"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 11, "Peaceful Look")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 11, "Peaceful Look")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 12, "Hands"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 12, "Hands")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 12, "Hands")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 13, "Ponytail"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 13, "Ponytail")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 13, "Ponytail")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 14, "Closed Circuit"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 14, "Closed Circuit")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 14, "Closed Circuit")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 15, "Dim Light"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 15, "Dim Light")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 15, "Dim Light")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 16, "Microwave"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 16, "Microwave")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 16, "Microwave")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 17, "Noise Nerves"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 17, "Noise Nerves")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 17, "Noise Nerves")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 18, "Mr. Rogers"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 18, "Mr. Rogers")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 18, "Mr. Rogers")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning
"Pain Thing," 2019
Sequence 19, "Dr. Naivete"
Sadie Benning
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 19, "Dr. Naivete")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
“Pain Thing,” 2019
(Detail of Sequence 19, "Dr. Naivete")
63 panels each 9.75 x 7.25" [HxW] (24.77 x 18.42 cm)
Wood, photographic transparencies, aqua resin, and resin
Inventory #BEN869
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo: Chris Austin
Sadie Benning became well-known in the early 1990s for making brilliant low-tech videos—urgent and moving confessionals documenting their own teenaged sensibility. For most of the current decade, they’ve concentrated on gallery-based projects, often using found photographic imagery as the base material for works that ultimately combine elements of sculpture and painting into a unique hybrid. For 2020, Benning returns to the Wex with a new work of striking scale and ambition.
Pain Thing is a single installation consisting of 63 small wood panels grouped into 19 discrete and separately titled sequences that extend through three adjacent spaces. Acrylic paint and photo transparencies are layered on each panel, followed by coats of meticulously applied clear resin. The overall result complicates the relationship between flatness and dimensionality while raising questions of narrative and memory, specifically in relation to traumatic and collectively inherited events.
The Wexner Center is thrilled to premiere Pain Thing, which follows Benning’s 2017 installation at The University of Chicago’s Renaissance Society, Shared Eye, since acquired by The Museum of Modern Art. Benning’s work has been shown at the Wex since the early 1990s. The recipient of a 2003 Wexner Center Artist Residency Award, they presented Suspended Animation, their first-ever solo gallery exhibition, here in 2007.