BENJAMIN ZUHCKLE and I had arranged to meet at the trendy retro bar, Bahaus, very select very chic. Fashionably 15 minutes late, Benjamin caused quite a stir when his handsome firm physique clad wholly in Susan Myers new label "NEVER", floated into the lounge.

"Good Evening Benjamin"

"Good Evening Nelen, youre looking mighty fine"

"Why thankyou Ben, youre looking good yourself, but lets get straight down to talking about your exciting new exhibition at GINGERS CAFE, its called "SHOOT" I believe? Would you like to explain to our readers why you chose this challenging and unorthodox title and why this particular theme?"

"It will be my pleasure Nelen. I have urges Nelen and they may not be mainstream, but they are strong and they are passionate."

"Mmmm interesting, do go on Ben."

"Well to me SHOOT challenges all concepts of "us" and the"other" in a new and original format. The dichotomy of natural and unnatural can be seen to be brought into sharp relief when we, the human, have physical sexual need for the natural, but here perceived as the "other". Are you still with me Nelen, are my ideas too disturbing and radical for you?"

"No, Ben, no. I think I understand what youre saying, but it is really a dark and dangerous path that youre choosing to tread and I must say how much I admire your physical and intellectual bravery."

"Well thank-you Nelen, - more water?  Of course the title SHOOT, works on many levels. There is the obvious connatation with the thrusting of young green growth, but there are hidden too reflections of the phallic in terms of the masculine icon of a shooter/ gun, with its hard lines and its aggressive capabilities in terms of death, desire and destruction. But also moving away fast from a discourse that can be seen to be outdated, that of Gender and Sexuality, its ultimate meaning has to be Nelen, a conversation with a higher entity, with the spiritual with the wholeness  of the universe -  a dialogue with the importance of spiritual growth."

For a while here Bejamin appeared to become emotionally distressed, and for a while we sat movingly in silence.

"I see Benjamin, just as I have grown to expect from you and your work, "BIG" ideas, "BIG" challenges. Thank-you so much Benjamin.

"Its been a pleasure as usual Nelen."

Ben Zuhlckes photographs of wild flowers can be seen at GINGERS CAFE, 449 , SMITHDOWN ROAD, 7 days a week. From ,26th of May until the 15th of July.

Curated by Helen BRYSON, www.helenbryson.bravehost.com    

INTERVIEW BY NELEN MCNAIR.