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.

Artist: Frank Bowling

Frank BowlingUntitled By Frank Bowling, 2015

$34,155

Untitled By Frank Bowling

By Frank Bowling

Located in Dubai, Dubai

Untitled By Frank Bowling Frank Bowling was a British-Guyanese artist renowned for his vibrant and expressive abstract paintings. His work explored themes of identity, migration, m...

Category

2010s Contemporary Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Cotton

Frank BowlingDoughlah G.E.P., 1968-71 - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, 2023

$1,022

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

Tracey EminTracey Emin - Wanting You - Embroidered Linen Handkerchief, with Hand Signed Tag, 2014

$15,000

H 21 in W 21 in D 1.5 in

Tracey Emin - Wanting You - Embroidered Linen Handkerchief, with Hand Signed Tag

By Tracey Emin

Located in New York, NY

Embroidered Linen Handkerchief, with Hand Inscribed, Dated and Signed Tag Ink signed Tracy Emin with the hand written inscription "With You in Mind" and dated 2014 by Tracey Emin on ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Textile, Cotton, Thread, Ink

Louise BourgeoisLouise Bourgeois - I Have Been to Hell and Back Handkerchief, Lt Ed Tate Gallery, 2009

$15,000

H 15.5 in W 15.5 in D 1.5 in

Louise Bourgeois - I Have Been to Hell and Back Handkerchief, Lt Ed Tate Gallery

By Louise Bourgeois

Located in New York, NY

Hand numbered 900/1000 and with the artist's silkscreened initials This long sold out coveted limited edition embroidered handkerchief is based on a larger original, which Bourgeo...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Cotton, Thread, Mixed Media, Screen

Tracey EminTracey Emin - Kiss Me Towel/Wall Hanging Lt. Ed. hand numbered Official COA New!, 2014

$1,500

H 42 in W 69 in D 0.5 in

Tracey Emin - Kiss Me Towel/Wall Hanging Lt. Ed. hand numbered Official COA New!

By Tracey Emin

Located in New York, NY

Tracey Emin Kiss Me Kiss Me Towel, 2014 with Official plate signed COA Brand new: unframed and comes folded (framed images for inspiration only) Limited Edition silkscreen on oversiz...

Category

2010s Contemporary Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Cotton, Paper, Mixed Media, Screen

Mark KostabiSandy Giclee Print on Handmade Cotton Paper, Signed Edition of 50, 2014

$875

H 25.5 in W 20 in D 1 in

Sandy Giclee Print on Handmade Cotton Paper, Signed Edition of 50

By Mark Kostabi

Located in Aventura, FL

Hand signed, dated and numbered by the artist. Giclee on hand made cotton paper. Image size 18.75 x 14 inches. Frame size approx 25.5 x 20 inches. Edition of 50. Artwork in excel...

Category

2010s Pop Art Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Cotton, Paper, Giclée

Tracey Emin"I Love You" Limited Edition towel/wall hanging (LARGE: 60 inches x 70 inches), 2011

$2,800

H 60 in W 70 in D 0.3 in

"I Love You" Limited Edition towel/wall hanging (LARGE: 60 inches x 70 inches)

By Tracey Emin

Located in New York, NY

Tracey Emin I Love You/I Love Your Soul/I Love Your Smile, ca. 2010 100% Cotton Beach Towel 60 × 70 inches (folded it's 25 x 30 inches) Signed in plate, authorized printed...

Category

2010s Contemporary Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Cotton, Screen, Mixed Media, Laid Paper

Kehinde WileyKehinde Wiley - Andries Stilte Lt. Ed oversized Towel Wall Hanging 70" x 60", 2008

$2,800

H 70 in W 60 in D 0.3 in

Kehinde Wiley - Andries Stilte Lt. Ed oversized Towel Wall Hanging 70" x 60"

By Kehinde Wiley

Located in New York, NY

Kehinde Wiley Andries Stilte oversized beach towel, 2008 Silkscreen on 100% Cotton Large Beach Towel or hanging tapestry 70 × 60 inches Edition of 2000 In original packaging with ta...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Cotton, Mixed Media, Screen

Peter DoigPeter Doig "D1-6 Holy Mountain", 2022

$6,320Sale Price|20% Off

H 48.25 in W 39 in

Peter Doig "D1-6 Holy Mountain"

By Peter Doig

Located in Boston, MA

Artist: Doig, Peter Title: D1-6 Holy Mountain Series: D1 Zermatt Date: 2022 Medium: Giclee Print on Cotton Smooth Rag Unframed Dimensions: 44.75" x 35.4" Framed Dimensions: 48...

Category

2010s Contemporary Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Cotton, Giclée

Sarah MorrisSarah Morris, London - Signed Print, Geometric Abstraction, Hand-Signed, 2012

$2,226

H 14.97 in W 11.82 in

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

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

$1,700

H 13.39 in W 13 in

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

Pedro FriedebergSafe distances, Digital Print, 55 x 55 cm, Mexican post COVID art, 2021, 2021

$2,470

H 21.66 in W 21.66 in

Safe distances, Digital Print, 55 x 55 cm, Mexican post COVID art, 2021

By Pedro Friedeberg

Located in Ciudad de México, MX

Safe distances, by Pedro Friedeberg - Digital Print - 55 x 55 cm - Mexican post COVID art, c. 2021 During the pandemic, the artist stayed for 4 months in Oaxaca on a beach called ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pedro FriedebergFlash Solar, Digital Print, 34x33cm, Mexican Abstract Geometric, 2023, 2023

$1,700

H 13.39 in W 13 in

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

Alexander CalderAlexander Calder Lithograph, Abstract, 1966, Damier, Derriere le Miroir #156, 1966

$595

H 21 in W 17 in

Alexander Calder Lithograph, Abstract, 1966, Damier, Derriere le Miroir #156

By Alexander Calder

Located in Washington, DC

Artist: Alexander Calder Medium: Original lithograph Title: Damier Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #156 Year: 1966 Edition: Unnumbered Framed Size: 21 1/4" x 17 1/4" Sheet Size: 15" x...

Category

1960s Abstract Geometric Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Lithograph

Previously Available Items

Frank BowlingHothead - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, 2016

Sold

H 31.5 in W 29.61 in

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

Frank BowlingHothead - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, 2016

Sold

H 32.29 in W 30.71 in

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 BowlingFrank Bowling, Benjamin Run - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, Signed Print, 2020

Sold

H 29.93 in W 19.49 in

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 BowlingFrank Bowling, Benjamin Run - Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, Signed Print, 2020

Sold

H 29.93 in W 19.49 in

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 BowlingAs If Eleven - Contemporary art, 21st Century, Abstract Art, Abstraction, 2020

Sold

H 29.93 in W 23.63 in

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.