John Cowen

I studied Fine Art at university, specialising in painting, which led to a twenty year career working as a designer and art director. While I have had wonderful creative opportunities, they are mostly still within the constraints of a commercial brief. I always craved the unlimited creative opportunities working as an artist can offer.

Since 2018 I have been focussed on combining my desire to be creating artworks with my concerns around climate breakdown. This has led to a growing body of work looking at mankind's impact on the planet - and our current epoch 'the Anthropocene'.

From a distance my drawings appear as organic forms. As you look closer you see they are comprised of painstakingly drawn maps. The familiar patterns of road and building networks create beautiful and mesmerising artworks.

My hope is they raise awareness that our cities and the natural world have a symbiotic relationship. That we must be doing more to live sustainably and act as a reminder of the beauty available in the natural world and the need to protect it.

1997 - 2000
BA (Hons) Fine Art, Birmingham School of Fine Art