Dale Bowen
Born and raised in Staffordshire in 1963 (and still home to the artist today), it comes as no surprise to learn that it didn’t take Dale Bowen long - after completing his studies art at Newcastle-under-Lyme College that is - to become a master potter. After all, Staffordshire is known across the globe for its ceramic-manufacturing heritage. And there’s no better grounding in the ceramics industry than being schooled and thereafter to ply your trade for both Coalport China and then latterly, Wedgwood; two names synonymous with unique china creations for generations.
Bowen’s remit under the roof of Wedgwood’ acclaimed Jasper Prestige Department was to create highly decorative and bespoke pieces for both collectors’ markets and commissions, a large percentage of which were fetching in excess of £100,000. 20 years on, and Bowen’s uniquely crafted pieces have been showcased in museums as far and wide as the USA and Japan (where he displayed his Wedgwood exclusive masterpiece collection), as well as here in the UK. Most recently he’s seen his work exhibited privately in America, with viewings having taken place in New York, San Francisco and Washington.
In terms of stature within the industry, there are few greater achievements than being commissioned to complete works to commemorate the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday and the 200 year celebrations to acknowledge the Battle of Trafalgar. With regards to the latter, Bowen’s piece (a huge 3ft vase) was displayed at Portsmouth Naval Museum, whilst at the same event a plaque of his design and creation was presented to Her Majesty on board HMS Victory. What’s more, Bowen was invited to manufacture individual pieces by way of commemoration of Coalport’s 250th anniversary.
It was what he witnessed at Minton that was to shape his career thereafter, as he re-introduced porcelain on porcelain technique that had otherwise been lost to the ceramic world. This glass-on-clay effect prodded and poked at more established, contemporary ways in which to present commercial ceramics, and he dedicated his time to experimenting with this almost forgotten art and forge new frontiers within this ancient technique.
Outside of Wedgwood, Bowen returned to his first love, that of painting, something which piqued his interest from an early age. His passion for the brush was replaced by the lure of clay and the throwing of pots. But Bowen sought to combine the two artistic disciplines, an aspiration that grew after trips to a raft of ceramic collections; the museum showcases at Royal Doulton, Coalport and Minton, alongside of visits to the Victoria and Albert Museum to discover just what could be achieved by teaming these creative mediums.
Yet it’s Bowen paintings that are of interest to us, and the distorted, cartoon-esque art that’s his signature style away from the potter’s wheel. With a particular fondness for buildings, these almost always appear twisted and distorted to our eye, while another fascinations seems to be boats. A style that could easily have been lifted straight from the pages of a child’s picture book. Yet ultimately it’s this skewed perspective on life that marks his works out from the crowd.
Bowen’s remit under the roof of Wedgwood’ acclaimed Jasper Prestige Department was to create highly decorative and bespoke pieces for both collectors’ markets and commissions, a large percentage of which were fetching in excess of £100,000. 20 years on, and Bowen’s uniquely crafted pieces have been showcased in museums as far and wide as the USA and Japan (where he displayed his Wedgwood exclusive masterpiece collection), as well as here in the UK. Most recently he’s seen his work exhibited privately in America, with viewings having taken place in New York, San Francisco and Washington.
In terms of stature within the industry, there are few greater achievements than being commissioned to complete works to commemorate the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday and the 200 year celebrations to acknowledge the Battle of Trafalgar. With regards to the latter, Bowen’s piece (a huge 3ft vase) was displayed at Portsmouth Naval Museum, whilst at the same event a plaque of his design and creation was presented to Her Majesty on board HMS Victory. What’s more, Bowen was invited to manufacture individual pieces by way of commemoration of Coalport’s 250th anniversary.
It was what he witnessed at Minton that was to shape his career thereafter, as he re-introduced porcelain on porcelain technique that had otherwise been lost to the ceramic world. This glass-on-clay effect prodded and poked at more established, contemporary ways in which to present commercial ceramics, and he dedicated his time to experimenting with this almost forgotten art and forge new frontiers within this ancient technique.
Outside of Wedgwood, Bowen returned to his first love, that of painting, something which piqued his interest from an early age. His passion for the brush was replaced by the lure of clay and the throwing of pots. But Bowen sought to combine the two artistic disciplines, an aspiration that grew after trips to a raft of ceramic collections; the museum showcases at Royal Doulton, Coalport and Minton, alongside of visits to the Victoria and Albert Museum to discover just what could be achieved by teaming these creative mediums.
Yet it’s Bowen paintings that are of interest to us, and the distorted, cartoon-esque art that’s his signature style away from the potter’s wheel. With a particular fondness for buildings, these almost always appear twisted and distorted to our eye, while another fascinations seems to be boats. A style that could easily have been lifted straight from the pages of a child’s picture book. Yet ultimately it’s this skewed perspective on life that marks his works out from the crowd.