Bob Bentley is a filmmaker, artist and photographer.

 

He grew up in the small town of Bideford in North Devon, his parent having moved there from London after the 2nd World War. Together with his sister Cath, the family integrated with the local community, his father Ben a country welfare officer and his mother Con the sales accountant for a coal merchant.

 

School days were unhappy for Bob but Cath did well and soon went off to University. The local art school beckoned and became the place where Bob found his feet, with like minded young people who were interested in the arts.

 

Bob went on to Brighton College of Art where he developed his visual talents. However he was seduced by the movies and saw more of a future in film and television. He applied for the Royal College of Art Film School, was accepted and soon the artwork became somewhat sidelined.

 

Bob had a successful film & TV career, first as a technician and then a director, travelling the world and working with amazing people. 

 

The 1970s is when his photography became a significant part of his creative life - to be seen in the recently published book and videos A TAKE ON THE WORLD: 1970s. Some of the pictures are here in PHOTOGRAPHY 

 

A selection of the work as a director in film and TV, accomplished over a 50 year period, can be glimpsed at in the MOVIE section of this website.

 

Much of the early artwork lay uncared for in storage but he went on to create new work during the covid pandemic in 2020. This led to an exhibition and a book on his artwork from 1962 to 2020: BOB BENTLEY - IN PERSPECTIVE. Much of the work and videos of the exhibition can be seen here under ART

 

Bob also had a substantial teaching career at various universities and institutions, including the National Film School. Over a 15 year period at the University of Westminster he took pleasure in guiding aspirational young people from around the world.

 

Bob continues to find new ways to express himself in a variety of media.