exhibitions

paintings and sculpture

23 May - 11 June 2013

about the exhibition

Dean Bowen’s works are characterised by vibrant colour, environmental symbolism and dynamic composition. His depictions of objects, people, insects and animals share the artist’s quirky and infectious sense of humour whilst also reminding us of our common struggles and triumphs. Dean also plays with aspects of scale reflecting on both the monumental as well as the miniature, often merging and juxtaposing the two. This exhibition features a comprehensive selection of his bronze sculptures complemented by paintings from the insect and cactus series. In these paintings, Dean uses insects and the garden as symbols to comment on everyday life and human interaction. Stick insects and ladybirds struggle to climb up cacti as birds and bees perch, varied in scale and rendered in strong, vibrant colours. His bronzes often seem to have grown organically from his prints and paintings, taking on a three dimensional form, both tangible and textured. A concern for happiness is evident in Dean’s work; his wit and naive style are the hallmarks of an artist engaging with a wide audience whilst retaining sophisticated dialogues.

Dean Bowen has exhibited with much acclaim in Australia and overseas. He has also worked on a number of commissions including a major tapestry for the City of Melbourne’s Town Hall and recent sculpture for the Canterbury and Shepparton regions of Victoria. In 2008, the ACT Government purchased a major sculpture of Dean’s, “The big little man”, which is permanently installed in Petrie Plaza, Canberra City. More recently, a second bronze was commissioned, “Lady with flowers” which is situated in Gungahlin. Dean is a regular participant in national and international awards, winning the Sponsor’s Prize in the 4th Sapporo International Print Biennale in Japan in 1998, and, in 2003, the People’s Choice Award at the Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award and the Tai-he Masterpiece Award at the 1st International Print Biennial of Beijing. He was selected as a finalist in the 2009 Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Dean’s works are in many significant collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris, France) and the Contemporary Art and Culture Centre (Osaka, Japan). In 2009, Macmillan Art published a major monograph on the artist’s work, “Argy Bargy”, by Sheridan Palmer.

exhibition images

  • 1. $4,400 Cactus with Climbing Ladybirds - oil on linen, 45 x 53cm

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  • 2. $14,300 Cat - bronze, edition 7 of 9, 26 x 95 x 34cm

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  • 3. $4,400 Blue Wren - oil on linen, 45 x 53cm

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  • 4. $4,400 Stick Insect with Ladybird - oil on linen, 45 x 53cm

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  • 5. $2,500 Small Echidna - bronze and recycled jarrah, edition 2 of 9, 13 x 20 x 8.5cm

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  • 6. $4,400 Swarm - oil on linen, 45 x 53cm

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  • 7. $4,400 Landing Bee - oil on linen, 45 x 53cm

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  • 8. $4,400 Resting Bee - oil on linen, 45 x 53cm

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  • 9. $4,400 Cluster - oil on linen, 45 x 53cm

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  • 10. $8,800 Girl with Birds - bronze, edition 2 of 9, 22 x 49 x 7cm

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  • 11. $4,400 Cactus with Bee and Ladybird - oil on linen, 53 x 45cm

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  • 12. $27,500 Bird Wall - bronze, edition 4 of 9, 57 x 94 x 22cm

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  • 13. $4,400 Cactus with Ladybird - oil on linen, 53 x 45cm

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  • 14. $4,400 Beetle Returning Home - oil on linen, 53 x 45cm

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  • 15. $8,800 Bird Lover - bronze, edition 2 of 9, 19 x 73 x 6cm

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  • 16. $8,800 Stick Insects with Ladybird - oil on linen, 91 x 117cm

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  • 17. $7,000 The Long Dog - bronze, edition 4 of 9, 9 x 100 x 6cm

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  • 18. $4,400 Red Flower - oil on linen, 45 x 53cm

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  • 19. $4,400 Large Cactus with Ladybirds - oil on linen, 45 x 53cm

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  • 20. $8,800 Landscape with Echidna and Owlet - bronze, artist’s proof, edition of 9, 43 x 75 x 8cm

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  • 21. $4,400 Perching Owl - oil on linen, 45 x 53cm

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  • 22. $27,500 Boat - bronze, edition 2 of 9, 69 x 82 x 28cm

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