Meet Max Bennett

We had the good fortune of connecting with Max Bennett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Max, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Brisbane, Australia, and my upbringing was centered around structure and discipline. I originally studied law, which was a safe path, but I felt unfulfilled. Art wasn’t part of my plan until I created a piece for my mother’s birthday when I was 17 —it changed everything. I realized I wanted to create, and within a few years, I had built a career that led me to Paris and the US, collaborating with some of the most respected figures in the creative world . That shift—from a traditional path to an unconventional one—taught me the importance of trusting my instincts.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work exists at the intersection of fine art, film, and performance. What sets me apart is my ability to move fluidly between disciplines—hyperrealistic drawing, conceptual installation, performance, and filmmaking—while maintaining a distinct artistic voice. I don’t see art as something confined to a canvas or a gallery; I believe in storytelling across mediums, whether it’s through a large-scale drawing, a performance piece, or a film that explores movement and human emotion. 
 
I am most proud of the way my work has been able to reach people on a global scale, both through high-profile collectors and public installations. My Walk of Shame series transformed celebrity mugshots into hyperrealistic, hand-drawn portraits, reframing these images of public downfall as something more permanent and introspective. I installed the works in major cultural locations—like near the Hollywood sign—turning them into a kind of guerrilla exhibition. The project resonated immediately, selling out entirely and attracting collectors like Margot McKinney, Mia Khalifa, and David Dobrik. 
 
Another milestone was my short film Games for One, part of my Lucarne series, which was screened prominently all over Paris in locations such as Trocadero alongside the Eiffel Tower. The film explores themes of isolation and self-perception, using movement and minimal set design to convey the internal struggle of being trapped in one’s own head. This project was a turning point for me because it solidified my belief that film and performance are just as integral to my practice as fine art. My work as a multidisciplinary artist continued in film productions such as “Catharsis,” which was later showcased at the Tribeca Film Festival. This reinforced my understanding that performance art and visual composition are all part of the same creative language. 
 
Beyond personal projects, I’ve had the opportunity to work on commissions that merge fine art with luxury and exclusivity. The Kimberly Syndicate, an investment group specializing in rare Argyle diamonds, commissioned me to create hyperrealistic large-scale drawings of these rare stones. The pieces allowed the diamonds to be exhibited without ever leaving the vault, highlighting the precision and craftsmanship that define my artistic approach. 
 
Getting to this point wasn’t easy. I started with no formal art training and originally studied law in Australia before realizing I needed to pursue my creative instincts. I built my career through relentless work and risk-taking—often putting everything I had into my projects, financially and emotionally. Early on, I was creating work at an exhausting pace, often working 20-hour days just to establish myself. I had no roadmap, no connections, and no guarantee that what I was doing would lead anywhere. But I knew that I had something unique to offer, and I wasn’t willing to settle for anything less than making it work. 
 
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success in the arts isn’t just about talent—it’s about persistence, adaptability, and being willing to take risks. Some of my biggest opportunities came from going beyond traditional art-world expectations—whether it was staging my own exhibitions in public spaces or expanding my practice into film and performance. 
 
What I want the world to know about my work is that I am versatile, multidisciplinary artist whose work transcends the boundaries of traditional art. My creative process is about breaking down barriers between disciplines and redefining how art can exist in different spaces. Whether I’m drawing, painting, sculpting, performing, or staging an installation, my goal is always the same: to create something that challenges, moves, and transforms the way people see the world. 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Felix! My favourite homemade pasta in La!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The artists way. A fantastic tool that I think all creatives would benefit from using.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxbennnettt?igsh=MXV5dHlsNHJibXhqOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Other: TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@maxbennnett?_t=ZS-8ugNd3QWzVI&_r=1

Image Credits
James Bee, Photographer

(Personal Images)

Max Bennett

(All other Images)