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

$1,012

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

Howard HodgkinHoward Hodgkin hand-colored Early Evening in the Museum of Modern Art, 1979

$2,250

H 29.5 in W 38.75 in

Howard Hodgkin hand-colored Early Evening in the Museum of Modern Art

By Howard Hodgkin

Located in New York, NY

Large scale black and white abstract interior scene with dots, lines, brushstrokes, and hand painting in grey, to 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. Early Evening in the Museum of Modern Art, by Howard Hodgkin. Signed by the artist, numbered, and dated 79 lower center in red crayon. Soft-ground etching printed from the same plate as 'Late Afternoon in the Museum of Modern Art', with hand coloring in black gouache on Grey BFK Rives mould-made paper. 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. Wide areas of deep black pigment contrast urgent swipes of ink. Always seeking greater richness in his prints, Hodgkin layered ink and hand coloring in this print, rendering each impression in the edition unique. Part of a series of four prints reflecting on a visit to...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Gouache, Etching

Jenny HolzerJenny Holzer, Water Board 0000090: 2012, Signed Print, Contemporary Art, 2012

$3,277

H 35.63 in W 27.56 in

Jenny Holzer, Water Board 0000090: 2012, Signed Print, Contemporary Art

By Jenny Holzer

Located in Hamburg, DE

Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950) Water Board 0000090, 2012 Medium: Template reservage technique, on 350 g/qm wove paper Dimensions: 90.5 × 70 cm (35 3/5 × 27 3/5 in) Edition: From th...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Paper

Howard HodgkinThinking Aloud in the Museum of Modern Art, Hodgkin, abstract black and white, 1979

$2,850

H 30 in W 40 in

Thinking Aloud in the Museum of Modern Art, Hodgkin, abstract black and white

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Etching

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

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

Howard HodgkinAll Alone in the Museum of Modern Art Howard Hodgkin abstract black painting, 1979

$2,250

H 29.5 in W 38.75 in

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Etching

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

$2,600

H 25.79 in W 25.79 in

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

Hans HartungHans Hartung 1963 Original Unused Vintage Poster Lithograph Erker Galerie German, 1963

$400

H 36.5 in W 22.7 in

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

Sumit MehndirattaIndian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Trispiral, 2025

$1,200

H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 0.4 in

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Trispiral

By Sumit Mehndiratta

Located in Paris, IDF

Archival pigment ink print on canvas Edition of 12 Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in...

Category

2010s Abstract Frank Bowling Art

Materials

Canvas, Archival Pigment

John BaldessariJohn Baldessari, Two Assemblages (with R, O, Y, G, B, V Opaque) - Signed Print, 2003

$5,268

H 24.26 in W 36.03 in

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 HoultHarriet Hoult, At-Ha, Signed Limited Edition Print Abstract Print, 2019

$769

H 35.83 in W 24.81 in

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

Hans HartungHans Hartung 1966 Original Unused Vintage Poster Lithograph Erker Galerie German, 1966

$400

H 26.2 in W 25.6 in

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

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

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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

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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.