Interior of a greenhouse, c. 1955

Olwyn Bowey RA (b. 1936)

RA Collection: Art

Interior of a greenhouse showing a section of a greenhouse with goldfish in a pool, plant tendrils hanging down, and windows looking out on to a brick wall.

Olwyn Bowey recalled that this early work was made in Stockton-on-Tees in Durham before she left to study at the Royal College of Art in London in 1955, or possibly on a return visit home during the vacation period. She is now known for her paintings of greenhouses and still-lifes; this work, therefore, shows her engaged by this kind of botanical subject at an early age. Looking back at the work in 2011, she said that she enjoys the presence of the goldfish pond, and the comparison of interior and exterior.

Bowey was taught by Carel Weight RA when she was a student at the RCA and stated that she probably gave this drawing to Weight as a gift. It was later given to the Royal Academy as part of his bequest.

There is a sketch on the verso but Bowey thinks it is not her work and possibly by an RCA student or staff member, or Weight himself.