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
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
11,187
2,854
2,494
1,436
1
Artist: Frank Bowling
Doughlah G.E.P., 1968-71 - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art
Doughlah G.E.P., 1968-71 - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art

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

Related Items
Asger Jorn 1978 Original Unused Vintage Exhibition Lithograph Poster Galerie

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

Hans Hartung 1963 Original Unused Vintage Poster Lithograph Erker Galerie German

Hans Hartung 1963 Original Unused Vintage Poster Lithograph Erker Galerie German

By Hans Hartung

Located in Miami, FL

Hans Hartung (Germany, 1904-1989) Galerie Im Erker, 1963 lithograph on paper 36.5 x 22.7 in. (92.5 x 57.5 cm.) Excellent condition, unframed Ref: HAR100-204 Hans Hartung was born in...

Category

1960s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Lithograph

Cosmic Theatrer, Giclée Print, 34 x 33 cm, Mexican Abstract Geometric, 2023
Cosmic Theatrer, Giclée Print, 34 x 33 cm, Mexican Abstract Geometric, 2023

Cosmic Theatrer, Giclée Print, 34 x 33 cm, Mexican Abstract Geometric, 2023

By Pedro Friedeberg

Located in Ciudad de México, MX

Cosmic Theatrer, by Pedro Friedeberg - Giclée Print, - 34 x 33 cm, - Mexican Abstract Geometric, c. 2023 Teatro Cosmico is unique because it blends the mathematical rigor of Op A...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Geometric Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Giclée

Flash Solar, Digital Print, 34x33cm, Mexican Abstract Geometric, 2023
Flash Solar, Digital Print, 34x33cm, Mexican Abstract Geometric, 2023

Flash Solar, Digital Print, 34x33cm, Mexican Abstract Geometric, 2023

By Pedro Friedeberg

Located in Ciudad de México, MX

Flash Solar, by Pedro Friedeberg - Digital Print - 34 x 33 cm - Abstract Geometric, c. 2023 The piece, "Flash Solar," by Pedro Friedeberg is unique and special because it powerfully...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Geometric Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Digital

John Baldessari, Two Assemblages (with R, O, Y, G, B, V Opaque) - Signed Print
John Baldessari, Two Assemblages (with R, O, Y, G, B, V Opaque) - Signed Print

John Baldessari, Two Assemblages (with R, O, Y, G, B, V Opaque) - Signed Print

By John Baldessari

Located in Hamburg, DE

John Baldessari (American, 1931-2020) Two Assemblages (with R, O, Y, G, B, V Opaque), 2003 Medium: Lithograph and screen print on vellum Dimensions: 61.6 x 91.5 cm Edition of 50: Han...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Lithograph, Screen

Harriet Hoult, At-Ha, Signed Limited Edition Print Abstract Print
Harriet Hoult, At-Ha, Signed Limited Edition Print Abstract Print

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

Festive Tapestry, Giclée Print, 65 x 65 cm, Mexican Abstract Design, 2025.
Festive Tapestry, Giclée Print, 65 x 65 cm, Mexican Abstract Design, 2025.

Festive Tapestry, Giclée Print, 65 x 65 cm, Mexican Abstract Design, 2025.

By Pedro Friedeberg

Located in Ciudad de México, MX

Festive Tapestry, by Pedro Friedebeg - Giclée Print - 65 x 65 cm - Mexican Abstract Design, c. 2025. Is a striking example of the artist’s mastery of geometric symbolism, optical rh...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Giclée

Bicentennial Dawn Lithograph and gold foil, Louise Nevelson sculpture signed/N
Bicentennial Dawn Lithograph and gold foil, Louise Nevelson sculpture signed/N

Bicentennial Dawn Lithograph and gold foil, Louise Nevelson sculpture signed/N

By Louise Nevelson

Located in New York, NY

Louise Nevelson Bicentennial Dawn, 1976 Photolithograph, silkscreen and gold foil on white wove paper hand signed, dated and numbered 15/100 with incised signature on the front 35 × ...

Category

1970s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Foil

Günther Uecker, Lichtungen III: Woodcut, Abstract Art, Zero, Signed Print
Günther Uecker, Lichtungen III: Woodcut, Abstract Art, Zero, Signed Print

Günther Uecker, Lichtungen III: Woodcut, Abstract Art, Zero, Signed Print

By Günther Uecker

Located in Hamburg, DE

Günther Uecker (German, born 1930) Lichtungen III, 1997/1998 Medium: Woodcut on wove paper Dimensions: 62.5 x 51.5 cm Edition of 100 + XX: Hand-signed and (Roman) numbered in pencil ...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Woodcut

Hans Hartung 1966 Original Unused Vintage Poster Lithograph Erker Galerie German

Hans Hartung 1966 Original Unused Vintage Poster Lithograph Erker Galerie German

By Hans Hartung

Located in Miami, FL

Hans Hartung (Germany, 1904-1989) Galerie Im Erker, 1966 lithograph on paper 26.2 x 25.6 in. (66.5 x 65 cm.) Excellent condition, unframed Ref: HAR100-201 Hans Hartung was born in L...

Category

1960s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Lithograph

Damien Hirst - Beautiful, Tastefully Sensuous Explosion Painting, Unique Print
Damien Hirst - Beautiful, Tastefully Sensuous Explosion Painting, Unique Print

Damien Hirst - Beautiful, Tastefully Sensuous Explosion Painting, Unique Print

By Damien Hirst

Located in Hamburg, DE

Damien Hirst (British, born 1965) Beautiful, Tastefully Sensuous Explosion Painting (H12-2), 2023 Medium: Giclée print on poly-cotton artist canvas mounted on birch plywood stretcher...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Canvas, Giclée

Sarah Morris, London - Signed Print, Geometric Abstraction, Hand-Signed
Sarah Morris, London - Signed Print, Geometric Abstraction, Hand-Signed

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

Previously Available Items
Hothead - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art
Hothead - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art

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 80 x 75 cm - Sheet Edition of 250 It comes with COA from the publishers This p...

Category

2010s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Giclée

Hothead - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art
Hothead - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art

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
Frank Bowling, Benjamin Run - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, Signed Print

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
Frank Bowling, Benjamin Run - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, Signed Print

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 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.