Bright, Bold & Bountiful

This multifaceted American is an illustrious name in the world of design. But lately, it's his foray into art that starts conversations and highlights conservation. Shraddha Chowdhury digs deeper into the life and inspirations of Bill Bensley, unearthing his love for travel, animals, India, passion to protect rainforests, and more

- Shraddha Chowdhury

How did you venture into art from design?

I learnt how to paint over the course of the pandemic. During my 40-year career of designing hotels, I’ve consistently expanded interests to become a better hotel designer. Starting with landscape architecture, architecture and interior design, to horticulture, graphic design, signage, uniforms and owning hotels (the Shinta Mani group). Then came philanthropy, conservation, and now painting, sculpting and ceramics to support our charitable causes.

How do proceeds from your art benefit your Shinta Mani Foundation in Cambodia?

One hundred percent of the proceeds from art we sell in our five galleries across Asia is used for various causes. Hundreds of underprivileged young adults have graduated from the hospitality school at Shinta Mani Angkor for over 20 years. We provide milk for infants in 22 villages and have made dental services available for some 27,000 children. We’ve built over 350 homes in 22 villages just north of Siem Reap. Also, for over two decades, we’ve given interest-free financial assistance to empower women to open their own businesses—and have never had a loan not returned.

This year, we raised almost half a million US dollars by way of art, and that goes a long, long way in Cambodia.

How do you help save the rainforests through art?