Adhesive Vinyl Mosaic Art Workshop

About Mauricio Benega

Born in 1977 in Sao Paulo (Brazil), Mauricio is an established artist who moved to New Zealand in 2004 and now lives and works as a full time artist in Te Awanga.

Mauricio graduated with a Bachelor Degree of Visual Arts & Computer Graphics in 2001 at University 
ofTuiuti Parana, Brazil. He has also completed a Post-Graduation in School Administration & Visual 
Arts in 2004 at FAE Business School in Curitiba, Brazil and a Diploma of Visual effects & Motion 
Graphics in 2009 at Media Design School in Auckland, New Zealand.

Working from his studio based in Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay, he opened a business called Studio Benega 
Ltd, a creative company dealing with creative art projects. Such as, exhibitions, murals, 
workshops, illustrations, design, signage, project management, commissions and of course paintings.

Mauricio's work can be found in collections in NZ, Brazil, Australia, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, 
Germany, USA, Bali and Singapore.
He has participated in more then 30 Art and Comic contests around the world. 1 Award Story Board/ 
Comic magazine selection - Heavy Metal Brazil - 1997.
5 Art Awards - Brazil - 1998 - 2004
2 Awards in design - 2012 - 2014
12 solo exhibitions.
13 group exhibitions contemporary art - 1998 - 2015 17 Art shows in New Zealand - 2012 - 2021
6 times selected for the Contemporary New Zealand Art Calendar - 2018 - 2022 /2025 EAST Biennial 
Hastings City Gallery- 2016
Imago Mundi - Luciano Benetton Collection Contemporary Artists New Zealand Exhibition - Italy- 2017 
The Big Hoot Auckland - 2018
Hawke's Bay Wine Auction Artist - 2019
The Acorn Project 10 guitars art auction - 2020 EAST Biennial - Hastings City Art Gallery- 2020
The Path Exhibition - Hastings City Art Gallery- 2021 The Big Apple Project - 2022
Auckland Art in the Park - 2022 Auckland Art in the Park - 2023 Wellington Art Show - 2024

Article from North & South Magazine - Mar 2023

PLENTY OF CHARACTER
Hawke's Bay artist Mauricio Benega's paintings are rich in colour and humour

When Mauricio Benega was two­ years-old, he drew all over the walls in his family home in the 
Brazilian city of Curitiba. His father,
although angry at first, relented and redirected the toddler's creativity to his own bedroom wall.
This marked the beginning of the artist's life-long dedication to his craft. From doodling in high 
school books, to graphic design for the Curitiba newspaper, and now decorating the Hawke's Bay with 
large outdoor murals, Benega lives and breathes art.
"I am always evolving with my art style. I love comics and caricatures, the use of text, and bright 
colours," he says. In his adoptive home town of coastal Te Awanga he finds constant
inspiration. "Any little thing can inspire me, like the sun over the surf break in the evening or a 
commission request."
Benega's unique style uses Resene paint to create a compilation of patterns that showcase kiwiana 
lifestyles and landscapes, and often carry an undertone of irony.
If you visit Havelock North, you can learn all about the Hawke's Bay town just by gazing at 
Benega's mural. The vibrant colours and funky text captures Havelock North's beloved eateries, 
boutique
shopping and country town essence. "The mural depicts the life of local restaurants, cafes, and 
shops, plus the iconic landmarks like the Keirunga Gardens and Duart House nearby," says Benega.
Benega loves using Resene paint for his creations because of the opaque formula and the extensive 
range of shades. His insider tip is to open the test posts and let them dry partially in the air, 
which creates a fun rubbery consistency for a unique painting texture.
When it comes to landscapes and scenic murals, Benega's favourite colours to use are teals and blues, like the Resene shade 
Jacarta, which works for both oceans and horizons.
Mauricio Benega's art will be on sale at the Art in the Park Show in Auckland from 7-10 September.

For more of Benega's work, see lnstagram @mauriciobenega or mauriciobenega.com 

Article on North&South magazine - Mar 2023