Skip to main content

Frank Bowling Art

British, b. 1936
Frank Bowling, born Richard Sheridan Franklin Bowling on February 26, 1934, in Bartica, British Guiana (now Guyana), is a pioneering artist whose career has reshaped the landscape of abstract art. Renowned for his vibrant, textured paintings and groundbreaking approach to abstraction, Bowling has spent over six decades forging a unique artistic identity that bridges personal narrative, cultural history, and formal experimentation. His journey from his early days in Guyana to becoming one of the most influential figures in contemporary art is a testament to his resilience, innovation, and commitment to his craft. Bowling’s early life in British Guiana was marked by a fascination with art and storytelling, which later found expression in his work. In 1953, he moved to London, where he initially pursued a career in writing and acting before enrolling at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in 1959. At the RCA, Bowling studied alongside luminaries such as David Hockney and R.B. Kitaj. Although he initially explored figurative painting, his style evolved dramatically over time. He graduated in 1962, earning the prestigious Silver Medal for his work, and quickly established himself as a rising star in the British art scene. In the mid-1960s, Bowling’s practice began to reflect his growing interest in abstraction, influenced by his exposure to American abstract expressionism during a formative visit to New York. He became increasingly preoccupied with the expressive possibilities of colour and texture, leading to his renowned "Map Paintings" in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These works feature large-scale abstract compositions overlaid with stencilled outlines of continents, exploring themes of geography, identity, and post-colonial history. The "Map Paintings" reflect Bowling’s dual identity as both Guyanese and British and mark his early efforts to merge personal experience with universal themes. Throughout the 1970s, Bowling established studios in both London and New York, deepening his engagement with abstract art. During this period, he began experimenting with techniques such as pouring and staining paint directly onto the canvas, creating luminous works characterized by their rich, layered surfaces. This innovative approach earned him critical acclaim and positioned him as a significant figure in the New York art world, particularly among proponents of colour field painting. Bowling’s later work continued to push boundaries, incorporating materials such as acrylic gels, gold leaf, and collaged elements. His large-scale paintings evoke a sense of movement and transformation, often inspired by his reflections on memory, migration, and the natural world. Despite the deeply personal nature of his art, Bowling’s work resonates on a universal level, inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay between colour, form, and meaning. In 2005, Bowling was elected as a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, becoming the first Black artist to receive this honour. His contributions to art have been recognized with numerous awards and major exhibitions, including a landmark retrospective at Tate Britain in 2019. Today, his work is held in prestigious collections worldwide, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
to
2
2
2
Doughlah G.E.P., 1968-71 - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art
By Frank Bowling
Located in London, GB
Title: Doughlah G.E.P., 1968-71 Year made: 2023 Material: Giclée print on 330gsm Somerset Velvet cotton rag paper with an embossed publisher stamp Edition of 250 It comes with COA f...
Category

2010s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Giclée

Hothead - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art
By Frank Bowling
Located in London, GB
Hothead, 2016 Giclée print on 330gsm Somerset Velvet cotton rag paper with an embossed publisher stamp 82 x 78 cm - Framed 80 x 75 cm - Sheet Edition of 250 It comes with COA from t...
Category

2010s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Giclée

Related Items
All Alone in the Museum of Modern Art Howard Hodgkin abstract black painting
By Howard Hodgkin
Located in New York, NY
Large scale black and white abstract interior scene with dots, lines, brushstrokes, paint daubs, fingerprints, squares and rectangles, and hand painting in grey. Hang in contemporary, modern and minimalist spaces. While British pop artists such as David Hockney and Patrick Caulfield numbered amongst Howard Hodgkin's circle of friends, Hodgkin's work is painterly, emotional, expressionist, and abstract. Paper: 29.5 x 38.75 in. / 74.7 x 98.2 cm. Soft-ground etching with hand coloring in black gouache on grey BFK Rives mould made paper. Signed by the artist, dated 79, and numbered 59/100 lower center in red crayon. Printed from the same plate as 'Thinking Aloud in the Museum of Modern Art', this print was previously titled "Not Quite Alone in the Museum of Modern Art," suggesting an erotic dalliance in the museum. This print depicts an abstracted scene, perhaps a window and a door, in Hodgkin's signature painterly style. The expressive mark-making in this print is an example of the artist’s movement in the late 70s towards pronounced gestures. Beside bold black strokes, his fingerprints form areas of texture. Always seeking greater richness in his prints, Hodgkin layered ink and hand coloring in this print, rendering each print in the edition unique. Howard Hodgkin was introduced to the etching technique used in 'All Alone in the Museum of Modern Art' at Petersburg Press, where this print was produced and where he would become a long-time collaborator. This technique allowed him to work fluidly and spontaneously, creating the moody interior scenes that mark Hodgkin’s work from the late 70s and early 80s. Part of a series of four prints reflecting on a visit to the Museum...
Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Etching

Print of Frank Stella Wall Relief Sculpture, Hand Signed, Dated by Artist Framed
By Frank Stella
Located in New York, NY
Frank Stella (after) Untitled, for the Very Special Arts Gallery (Hand Signed by Frank Stella), 1992 Photo lithograph and offset litho on thin board (hand signed by Frank Stella) Fra...
Category

1990s Abstract Expressionist Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Offset, Lithograph

"Alice Tully Hall" by Guillermo Kuitca (Abstract, Red, Architecture, Design)
By Guillermo Kuitca
Located in New York, NY
One screen print on wove paper titled, Alice Tully Hall by Guillermo Kuitca, 2009. It is hand signed in pencil, dated and numbered from the edition of 117 (total edition includes 18 artist's proofs) The sheet size is 22 1/4 by 20 inches, with the blindstamp of the printer, Brand X Editions, New York. Published by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., New York. This impression has a rich, bold red color on bright white paper. Guillermo Kuitca, whose paintings and prints are often inspired by seating arrangements in theater interiors, recreates the seating chart...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Screen

Charlie Davies, Winter winds, Contemporary Limited Edition Botanical Prints
By Charlie Davies
Located in Deddington, GB
Charlie Davies Winter winds Original botanical etching Soft ground etching on paper Image Size: 35 cm x 35 cm x 1 cm Sheet/Canvas Size: 50 cm x 50 cm x 1 c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Paper, Etching

"Tree of life and Fertility». Limited edition print , Giclee, Floral green
Located in Zofingen, AG
Graceful interweaving of plants with a blur effect in dark green colors - Limited edition Print - with archival inks on Hahnemühle German etching fine art canvas - 80x80 cm (31.5 ...
Category

2010s Art Nouveau Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Canvas, Giclée

Harriet Hoult, At-Ha, Signed Limited Edition Print Abstract Print
By Harriet Hoult
Located in Deddington, GB
Harriet Hoult At-ha Limited Edition Giclee Print Edition of 50 Sheet Size: H 91cm x W 63cm x D 0.1cm Signed by the Artist This is a signed, Limited Edition Giclée print of the origi...
Category

2010s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Giclée

Howard Hodgkin Late Afternoon in the Museum of Modern Art abstract black white
By Howard Hodgkin
Located in New York, NY
Abstract black, white and tan print of interior scene with dots, lines, shadow and painted brushstroke texture. Ideal for display in minimalist, modern and contemporary spaces. While British pop artists such as David Hockney and Patrick Caulfield numbered amongst Howard Hodgkin's circle of friends, Hodgkin's work is painterly, expressionist, and abstract. Late Afternoon in the Museum of Modern Art by Howard Hodgkin. Soft-ground etching on buff BFK Rives mould-made paper. Edition 100: this impression 36/100. Signed by the artist, numbered 36/100, and dated 79 lower center in red crayon. Printed from the same plate as Early Evening in the Museum of Modern Art. Published by Petersburg Press. This print depicts an abstracted scene, perhaps a sculpture in front of a window in the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, in Hodgkin's signature painterly style. The expressive mark-making in this print is an example of the artist’s movement in the late 70s towards pronounced gestures. Hodgkin used his hand as a mark-making tool, combining these textures with loose and urgent brushwork. Howard Hodgkin was introduced to the etching technique used in Late Afternoon in the Museum of Modern Art at Petersburg Press, where this print was produced and where he would become a long-time collaborator. This technique allowed him to work fluidly and spontaneously, creating the moody interior scenes that mark Hodgkin’s work from the late 70s and early 80s. Part of a series of four prints reflecting on a visit to the Museum...
Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Etching

Gerhard Richter, Cage P19-3 - Print, Contemporary Art, Abstract Art
By Gerhard Richter
Located in Hamburg, DE
Gerhard Richter (German, b. 1932) Cage P19-3, 2020 Medium: Diasec-mounted Giclée print on aluminium composite panel Dimensions: 100 × 100 × 3 cm (39 2/5 × 39 2/5 × 1 1/5 in) Edition of 200: Numbered and labelled on verso; unsigned, as issued Publisher: HENI Editions, London Condition: Mint (shipped in original box) “One of a series of Giclée prints based on Gerhard Richter’s ‘Cage...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Giclée

Damien Hirst, Savoy (H5-8) - Signed Print, Contemporary Art, Abstract Art
By Damien Hirst
Located in Hamburg, DE
Damien Hirst (British, born 1965) Savoy (H5-8), 2018 Medium: Diasec-mounted Giclée print on aluminum panel Dimensions: 88.9 × 88.9 cm (35 × 35 in) Edition of 100: Hand-signed and num...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Giclée

Asger Jorn 1978 Original Unused Vintage Exhibition Lithograph Poster Galerie
By Asger Jorn
Located in Miami, FL
Asger Jorn (Denmark, 1914-1973) Jorn. Galleri Flindt, 1978 lithograph on paper 27.6 x 19.3 in. (70 x 49 cm.) Excellent condition, unframed Ref: JOR100-201 A humanist in the broadest...
Category

1970s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Lithograph

Sarah Morris, London - Signed Print, Geometric Abstraction, Hand-Signed
By Sarah Morris
Located in Hamburg, DE
Sarah Morris (American, born 1967) London, 2012 Medium: Digital print on rag paper with glaze Dimensions: 38 x 30 cm (14 15/16 x 11 13/16 in) Edition of 200: Hand-signed and numbered...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Geometric Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Digital

NV4, Unique Abstract Print, Contemporary Blue and White Minimalist Artwork
By Jonathan Moss
Located in Deddington, GB
NV4 is an original minimalist print by Jonathan Moss. The N.V series of unique, one-off, relief prints find their origin in his videos of flashing lights found in city centres at nig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Paper, Monoprint

Previously Available Items
Hothead - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art
By Frank Bowling
Located in London, GB
Hothead, 2016 Giclée print on 330gsm Somerset Velvet cotton rag paper with an embossed publisher stamp 82 x 78 cm - Framed 80 x 75 cm - Sheet Edition of 250 It comes with COA from t...
Category

2010s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Giclée

Frank Bowling, Benjamin Run - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, Signed Print
By Frank Bowling
Located in Hamburg, DE
Sir Frank Bowling OBE, RA (b. 1934, in British Guiana) Benjamin Run, 2020 Medium: Lithograph on paper Dimensions: 76 x 49.5 cm Edition of 40: Signed and numbered by hand Condition: Mint
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Lithograph

Frank Bowling, Benjamin Run - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, Signed Print
By Frank Bowling
Located in Hamburg, DE
Sir Frank Bowling OBE, RA (b. 1934, in British Guiana) Benjamin Run, 2020 Medium: Lithograph on paper Dimensions: 76 x 49.5 cm Edition of 40: Signed and numbered by hand Condition: Mint
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Lithograph

As If Eleven - Contemporary art, 21st Century, Abstract Art, Abstraction
By Frank Bowling
Located in Zug, CH
Frank Bowling As If Eleven - Contemporary art, 21st Century, Abstract Art, Abstraction 2020 Screenprint Edition of 100 76 × 60 cm (29.92 × 23.62 in) ...
Category

2010s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Screen

Frank Bowling art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Frank Bowling art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Frank Bowling in cotton, fabric, digital print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Frank Bowling art, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Yinka Shonibare, Jennifer Baker, and Andrée B. Carter. Frank Bowling art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,159 and tops out at $6,500, while the average work can sell for $3,159.

Artists Similar to Frank Bowling

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed