Frank Bowling RA

Until 14 March 2007

In the Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends of the Royal Academy

Frank Bowling RA, Portrait As Uncle Remus Courtesy of Rollo Contemporary ArtFrank Bowling RA is a painter’s painter. Working with paint has been a fascination for him now for over six decades. The range of colours in his palette is astounding. This exhibition highlights the varying ways Frank Bowling uses colour to produce coherent and powerful compositions, presenting a range of works from the early eighties, through to more recent paintings.

Bowling was born on 29 February 1936 in Bartica, Essequibo, British Guiana, South America. He moved to London in 1950 where he studied fine art at the Royal College of Art. Since then he has always divided his year between studios in London and New York and has exhibited extensively in both cities. In recognition of his achievements, on 26 May 2005 he was elected a Royal Academician. His diploma work – Wintergreens – currently hangs in the Norman Shaw staircase.

Frank Bowling RA, Swirl Courtesy Rollo Contemporary Art

Frank Bowling was a leading Colour Field painter and colour dominated his work in the 1970s. The earthier hues of his figurative palette gave way to an exploration of high-key and lyrical colour. Spontaneity and chance became important working methods in the mid to late 1970s and Bowling began referring to his work as 'poured paintings'. Bowling's recent work utilises a full range of colour and is marked by the artist’s periods of often intense experimentation with surface texture.

Friends Room opening times for non-Friends
4pm-6pm daily

Friends Room opening times for Friends of the Royal Academy of Arts
10am-6pm everyday except Friday
10am-10pm Friday

• Royal Academy of Arts