Inspired by Civil War medicine, artist Michael Benevenia has created sculptures that explore the legacy of America’s bloodiest conflict and its lingering impacts on our world today. 

“Baggage” by Michael Benevenia

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is proud to host Michael Benevenia as our first Artist in Residence.

Opening on September 1, 2018, “Redressing the Wound” is an exhibition of sculptures exhibited throughout the galleries of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Benevenia’s work strips away the glories of war and examines the war’s impact on those who participated. Utilizing inspiration from Civil War medicine – stretchers, prosthetic limbs, glowing wounds – each piece invites visitors to contemplate the war’s true impact and its lasting implications in the 21st century.

“Michael’s sculptures harken back to the darkest days in American history, as hundreds of thousands of soldiers fought and died on American battlefields,” says Jake Wynn, Director of Interpretation at the Museum. “His work strips away the glory of war and leaves us with only the stark aftermath: broken bodies, prosthetic limbs, wood, steel.”

“I became interested in researching Civil War medicine as an inspiration for my artwork, and as a way to try to make work about trying to heal the longstanding national divides following the failure of the post-Civil War era of Reconstruction,” explains artist Michael Benevenia, creator of Redressing the Wound. “My experiences living outside of the North coincided with the emerging national debate regarding the status of Confederate monuments as well as questioning police use of force against minorities.”

The exhibition is integrated into the museum’s galleries and is included with admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. It is FREE for NMCWM members.

Artist Biography

Michael Benevenia [Born NJ]. He has received degrees in Fine Art from Rutgers University, and Maryland Institute College of Art, as well as earning a certificate in structural plate welding. He has worked at the Sculpture Foundation’s Johnson Atelier as a technician and a supervisor of the monumental fabrication department. Michael currently lives and works in Lancaster, PA working and teaching for Millersville University. Michael has received awards for his sculpture from the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts in Baltimore, MD. He has shown in group and solo exhibitions, given artist talks and regionally and nationally and is entering into a multi-year residency at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Read more about “Redressing the Wound,” the sculptures, and artist Michael Benevenia