Garth Bowden

I'm drawn to challenging assumed hierarchies, and find inspiration as much on the street and in cartoons as I do from looking back at the history of painting. This collaged
way of working reflects more accurately my experience of the world.

After studying sculpture, I worked briefly as a free-lance toy designer.

I use art making as a form of research and as a vehicle to explore subjects I would not necessarily immerse myself in otherwise. It's a personal dialogue and a wider one with the public through the art work.
At the same time, the process of painting is also a way of quietening my mind and occupying a space that is undivided and unitive.

I also draw from the vitality and power of tribal art, often merging notions of the sacred with the banal objects of pop culture. I like to compress these apparently opposing elements into works of meaning and humour; and by colliding these disparate worlds, I question my perceived values and prejudices.

I've recently exhibited in the UK, Tahiti, France, Germany and Switzerland.

BA in Fine Arts at Chelsea School of Art, London.
Foundation at Camberwell College of Arts.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2018 - Galerie Sophie Leiser, “Eclectomania - Tribal Pop” Paris, France

2018 - LeStudio Gallery, “TikiMiki Paris” Paris, France.

2018 - LeStudio Gallery, “Memento Mori” Paris, France.

2016 - LeStudio Gallery, “Soft Power” Paris, France.

2016 - LeStudio Gallery, “The Silent Crowd” Paris, France.

2016 - The Gallery, “Painting with Light” CraftCentral, Clerkenwell, London, UK.

2015 - Orama and Cie Pop up Gallery, Zurich, Switzerland.

2015 – Craft Central Gallery, “Epiphany and Apophenia" London, UK.

2014 – Council of Europe, “Epiphany and Apophenia” - Exhibition sponsored by the Council of Europe Arts Club - Strasbourg, France.

2014 – Maison de la Culture, “Human Nature” – Tahiti.

2013 – Gallery Espace d’Art, “Drawing Loop” – Aude, France.

2012 – Gallery “L’Ancienne Forge “Patternicity” – Hérault, France.

2010 – Le Jardin en Ville, “Death, Sleep and Ecstasy” – Carcassonne, France.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2018 - Galerie Winkler, “TikiMiki” group show with Andreas Dettloff and KNKY, Papeete, Tahiti.

2017 - LeStudio Gallery, “Plastic Primitive” - Collaboration with LA based artist James Gilbert - Paris, France.

2015 - Orama and Cie Gallery, Art3f art fair with the French desig...