Ben Levene studied under Claude Rogers and William Coldstream at the Slade School of Fine Art (1956–1961). After graduating he spent time in Spain and then embarked upon an extensive teaching career as Visiting Lecturer and teacher of painting and drawing at Camberwell School of Art (1963–1989). Levene also held a post as visiting tutor at the Royal Academy Schools (1980–1995). In 1995 he was appointed Curator at the Royal Academy Schools, where he remained until 1998.
Levene’s work was first exhibited at Beaux Arts Gallery, London in 1960. Following that, his work was displayed in numerous mixed shows including British Painting 1952-1977 at the Royal Academy of Arts, and Friends and Colleagues of Claude Rogers, held at the Royal West of England Academy in 1993. He also exhibited internationally at the Jasper Gallery, in Houston, Texas, and New York, and at the David Mitchell Gallery, Toronto. His work can be found in numerous public collections, including: the Guildhall Art Gallery; Hull Education Centre; Leicestershire Education Committee; the Nuffield Collection; Rochdale Museum; and Southampton Art Gallery. Levene was elected to the Royal Academy in 1986. He died in 2010.
