Vanna Bowles (born 1974 in
Gothenburg) explores the medium of drawing in combination with sculpture,
objects and performance. She operates a figurative and surreal idiom, often using
optical effects and reliefs that destabilize the dividing line between the
surface of the image and the spectator’s surrounding space. Bowles’s imagery is concentrated around birds,
insects, reptiles, pieces of nature and parts of the human body. She assembles her
work in constellations that become intricate three-dimensional collages. The subject matters of her work are often gathered
from medicine, zoology and botany. Baroque anatomical theatres and the ways
bodies were depicted during this period have influenced her images. Focus lay
on aspects of vulnerability. Her use of fragile and
perishable materials, left bare and exposed to the elements further underscore
this overall theme.
Bowles lives and works in Oslo, and her work has
previously been exhibited in, among other institutions; Museum De Domijnen in
The Netherlands, Lars Bohman Gallery in Stockholm, Kunstnerforbundet in Oslo,
Malmö Art Museum, KIASMA in Helsinki and the Stenersen Museum in Oslo. Her work
is part of several collections such as Malmö Art Museum, Gothenburg City
Council, The Swedish Art Council, Statoil Art Collection and Lillehammer Art
Museum.
Table Parables 2017
Trancending Parrot Performance 2017
You have the opportunity to meet Vanna during her Artist Talk on Wednesday 4th of October at 6 pm. Very welcome!
