BIO
Ben Hodson’s creative journey is far from conventional. Since the age of 16, he's launched businesses, events, art projects and ventures across industries—from Ltd companies to charities and social enterprises. Recognised by Ernst & Young’s Future 100 and awarded Community Business Person of the Year, Ben’s career spans three countries, steering advertising campaigns, UX/UI projects, film sets, arts festivals, book projects, and even alpine expeditions. His commissions and collaborations span from London to the French/Italian Alps and stretch as far as the Middle East.
As an artist, Ben’s work is a fusion of photography, video, installation, and design. His exhibitions include spaces as renowned as The Houses of Parliament, the Ismail Khayat Gallery in Iraq, PhotoFusion in London, and the United Nations in New York. Not just limited to gallery walls, Ben serves as a film director, producer, curator, project manager, and creative designer, blending art with purpose.
With over six years teaching in Higher Education, Ben also delivers workshops, lectures, and seminars on creativity, community, and entrepreneurial impact. His projects are more than professional achievements; they're a manifestation of his belief that creativity, when paired with community and commerce, can genuinely shape a better world.
Now based in Briançon, France, with his wife Dee and their three children, Ben continues to explore new creative terrains, living his belief that every project, every venture, is a chance to inspire and connect.
Areas of work
Creative: Creative Director / Producer / UX/UI Designer / DOP / Photographer / Campaign Building / Brand Strategy
Business: Strategy / Start-up phase / Rapid Growth / Sales & Marketing / Teams & Values
Social Causes: European Refugee Crisis / Young people's entrepreneurial training
Current Businesses
FORM
Base Camp Media
Summit Coaching
Go Montgenevre
Snow Cab
Snow Holiday
Spoon Customs
Manifesto
Creativity & community can change the world
Art & creativity in its widest context can and does positively change the world. My work, time and research is caught up with this notion. Art is a great way of intervening in situations. Art sits at the forefront of change in a society and has an inherited responsibility to engage with social change.
Creating is always better in community
I consistently look to work in collaboration with other creatives and entrepreneurs. It is always better to work with someone who genuinely wants benefit for others rather than just for themselves. I am actively working against the isolation that is sometimes apparent in being an artist.
Visual peace making
As an image consumer and creator I am devoted to peacemaking and breaking down stereotypes by displaying the beauty of cultures from around the world. I actively look to build peace through the work I create.
There is always hope
Art regularly engages with ideas and themes which are dark in nature, artists need to build opportunities for hope and constructive and creative solutions to the issues.
Everything is art
I view everything I do is an extension of my art practice; connecting people, projects, ideas, collaborations and image creations. Constructing a creative business or community project is as valid as using more traditional methods and mediums.
Everyone is creative
I strongly believe that everyone is creative. The claim that some people aren't creative, normally means they can't draw or paint. Everyone has creativity built into them although it expresses itself in different ways. I endeavour to draw this out of other people and remove some of the inherent elitism found in traditional art contexts.
There are stories to tell
The notions of narrative and story telling are important to my work, as they are important to human society. Everyone has a story to tell and art has a wonderful opportunity to tell these stories.
CV
Click here to download art/academic version.
Click here to download producer/creative director version.
Education
University of Bedfordshire: Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PgCAP)
Associate fellow of the HEA
University of Bedfordshire: MA Art & Design. ‘Awarded Distinction’.
University of Bedfordshire: (Ba) Hons Photography & Video Art. Awarded 1st Class Degree & ‘Best student in department’.
Cricklade College, Andover (A Levels): Art (A), Photography (A), Media (B), Awarded ‘Excellence in education’.
Selected Films
Location Manager - Andes Plane Crash 2024 ITN Productions
Produced Forgotten Frontiers - Directed by Daniel Atkins
A producer for a full-feature musical film “Persephone” by Katherine Freeman for Century Films, entirely shot in Luton.
Art Director on “One” by Brain Hutton.
I was an associate producer on BBC presenter Michael Smith’s “Mystery River” for Departure Lounge, Up projects and The Floating Cinema.
Selected Exhibitions
EXHIBITION: “La Machinerie” Studio Havana, Briançon December 21
Exhibition: "Peace for Luton" Luton Art December 13 - Received Murry Barford Prize
Exhibition: "Fragmentations & Cohesions", Departure Lounge gallery. October - November 12
Exhibition: art6 group show, St Martins in the Field. October 12.
Exhibition: Solo exhibition in Ismail Khayat Gallery, Iraq. June 12
Exhibition: “Iraq – The Forgotten Story” Blaenau Gwent, Wales. March-May 12
Exhibition: The Re Show, Out of the Darkness Showroom. 11th – 25th Nov 11
Exhibition: “Iraq – Amna Suraka” UCMK Gallery. March 11
Permanent Installation: “Lutopia (Airport)” London Luton International Airport. Oct 09 +
Exhibition: “Iraq- The Forgotten Story” Museum of St Albans Sept 09 - Jan 10
Exhibition: “My Backyard 4” London Photographic Association. London Gallery Nov 08 -Jan 09
Exhibition: “Lutopia (Airport)” London Luton International Airport. Nov -Jan 08
Exhibition: BYC “SnapShot 60” The Houses of Parliament Nov-Dec 08
Permanent Installation: “Reminiscing” United Nations Headquarters NY. Aug 07 +
Exhibition: "Art for Mercy" - The Bridge Building. Nov. 03
Selected Publications
“Le Dauphiné” - Interview Jan 23
“Limelight” Interview March 13
The Print Space Blog 12. theprintspace.co.uk
“Life” University of Bedfordshire Magazine. January 12
“Digital Photographer” Issue 110 2011 - 6 page spreads, interview and my current work.
DLIFLC - Technology Integration Division, _eld support manuals for Iraq. Aug 09
linternaute Magazine - The rise and fall of Saddam Hussain. This online magazine reaches 15 million readers each month
(Nielsen – Netratings, Jan 09).
Annual report - Community Engagement, London Luton International Airport. 08
“Life” University of Bedfordshire Magazine. January 09
“LPA” London Photographic Association Website and Magazine. Interview and example work. November 08
“Achieve More” Magazine April 08
“Digital Photographer” Issue 67 (pages 66 & 67) March 08 - Two-page spread, interview and my current work.
“The Photographer” (page 3) December 07
“Life” University of Bedfordshire Magazine. Front Cover
Ben has been published numerous times in The Herald & Post, Luton News, Luton On Sunday, Dunstable Gazette, The Andover Advertiser, and The Advertiser Midweek.
Selected Awards
Murry Barford Prize - Luton Art 13/14
Rising Star Awards - Finalist. Enterprising Award/ Best New Company/Best Company 12
Best new company (under 50) FSB awards finalist 12
Community Businessman of the Year. Luton Best of awards 11.
Future 100 award. National competition for recognising the next generation of entrepreneurs. 2011
Best Student in Art & Design - University of Bedfordshire 09
The British Youth Council “Snap Shot 60” Highly Commended.
London Photographic Association. My Backyard 4 -Silver Medal Winner.
Shoot Nations 2007 - Final Short list and light-box display.
Luton First Photography Competition - Winner 07.
Shoot Experience Winner - September 07 Competition
Excellence in Education Award - Cricklade College