Sophie Benson

Sophie Benson is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Studies & Academic Lead for Education in the Department of Art at Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University. Her artistic practice focuses on drawing, painting, and installation, exploring representations of real and imagined spaces, site specificity, and the interplay between photography and illusion. She holds an MFA in Fine Art and has held significant academic leadership roles, including Programme Leader for BA Fine Art at Manchester School of Art since 2007, and previous roles at Newcastle University and Sheffield Hallam University.

Her research interests include landscape as a cultural and imaginative construct, the relationship between drawing and reality, and the echoes of historical or fictional events in visual art. Notable exhibitions include solo shows at Kings Place Gallery (2010) and Long & Ryle (2006), alongside international group exhibitions. Benson’s work is represented by Long & Ryle in London.

Her publications and presentations reflect her interdisciplinary approach, bridging artistic practice with academic discourse. Recent works include a 2017 presentation at the University of Porto and collaborative publications like Arkive I, Ashes Dance Roses (2012). She actively contributes to the academic community through educational leadership and curatorial initiatives.