Bosses of an arts trust have paid tributes to an artist as an inquest opening heard he was found in a lake after leaving home and said he was going to work.

The inquest into the death of Benjamin Andreas, from Westcliff, was opened at Essex Coroner’s Court in Chelmsford yesterday morning.

Mr Andreas grew up in Westcliff, before going on to study at the Slade School of Fine Art in London - which is ranked as the UK’s top art and design educational institution.

The talented artist then later worked at the Candid Arts Trust, a large gallery in London with studios for artists The trust is set to host an exhibition of Benjamin’s paintings on Saturday, at 3pm, as part of a memorial event.

A tribute on the trust’s website announcing the exhibition said: “Benjamin was an integral part of Candid Arts Trust. He worked as a life drawing tutor, exhibition curator and gallery technician and his skills in all these areas were much appreciated by all who came into contact with him.

"He had an unrivalled passion for art, and when engaged in conversation about the subject his quiet almost shy demeanor would be replaced with a powerful energy and creative insight true of the very talented artist he was.

READ MORE >>>

“Incredibly modest, never judgemental, loyal, protective and always passionate to help other less experienced artists. He was a rare kind of man and will be sorely missed.”

The opening of the inquest at Essex Coroner's Court was told yesterday that the 31-year-old was found unresponsive in a lake in Hadleigh Country Park on July 28, having last been seen six days earlier when he left home with a shopping bag.

At yesterday’s inquest, coroner’s officer Rachel Coleman said: “I am opening the inquest into the death of Benjamin Andreas from Westcliff who died on July 28 in Hadleigh. On July 28 he was found unresponsive face down in a lake. The ambulance was called and death was confirmed and police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances.

“A post-mortem examination was carried out and a provisional cause of death was given of 1A awaiting histology and toxicology reports.”

Sean Horstead, area coroner for Essex, added: “I am satisfied this case required an inquest and officially open the inquest into the death. There are a number of outstanding matters and we are waiting histology and toxicology reports and a final post mortem examination.”