Mark Bowers Art

Part of the Populous Constructions Series, these pieces are based on empathy - the ability to identify with or understand the perspective, experiences, or motivations of another individual and to comprehend and share another individual's emotional state. Made from burnished poplar, each piece takes receives a uniqueness from the wood itself as well as the artistic composition. Mark Bowers Indigenous burnished poplar 15.75h x 5.50w x 6d in 40.01h x 13.97w x 15.24d cm MJB028 Poplar is typically a white or creamy yellow hue, though it can be brownish or appear with mineral streaks of various colors in it, referred to as “rainbow poplar.” It is believed that lightning causes a chemical reaction in the wood which gives it all kinds of pink, blue, green ,red, black and purple streaks. The precise cause of these streaks and discolored wood produced in certain trees is not fully understood. Populus alba originated from the old world, its native range is from Central Europe to Central Asia. The “poplar” name comes from Ancient Rome, as the trees were routinely planted in public spaces or near people; the “populus”. In Greek mythology it is said that the White Poplar was consecrated to Hercules for his defeat of Cacus. In his triumph he crowned himself with the branches of the tree as a token of his victory. For this reason, In Ancient Greco-Roman mythology, the white poplar is a symbol of a peaceful afterlife, used to honor the memory of those we love who have died. ​I haven chosen poplar as my exclusive wood species, not only for its ability to be shaped, but most importantly it’s texture. When sanded, burnished, and polished the smooth surface is similar to human skin. This unique "feel" and rainbow poplar’s wide diversity of colors and tones supports the works intention to convey ideas rooted in personal biases and equity. Mark Bowers b. 1977 St. Joseph, MI Exhibitions 2019 Earth Wind Fire, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2018 SOFA CHICAGO, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Distortion, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2016 SOFA CHICAGO, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2015 Ann Nathan Gallery Satellite Exhibition, New Trier High School, Winnetka, IL 2013 American Painting Today: Physical and Visceral, Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, MI 2012 Fort Wayne Art Museum, Contemporary Realism Biennial, Fort Wayne, IN Rockford Art Museum Midwestern Biennial, Rockford, IL Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL 2009 Art Chicago, Represented by Ann Nathan Gallery, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL 2007 Beverly Arts Center Biennial, Chicago, IL Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL 2005 Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL 2003 Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI 2001 The Box Factory Gallery, St. Joseph, MI 2000 John G. Blank Center for the Arts, Michigan City, IN Michigan State...

Part of the Populous Constructions Series, these pieces are based on empathy - the ability to identify with or understand the perspective, experiences, or motivations of another indi...

Mark Bowers- Artist Statement With the depiction of landscape playing such a central role in the history of North American art, it seemed to offer many of the critical possibilities I was looking for, and it felt more and more like something I have always known. Something I could easily apply, stage, and manipulate as a diary. My work consists of small-scale highly detailed landscape paintings. They are inspired by the comfort, trepidation, and beauty found in the mundane Chicago Suburbs. I combine nature, decorative house wares, municipal structures, and personal artifacts to hint at current life and future implications in the orchestration of these elements. Each work in the series is a portrait of a search for markers on a journey, an attempt to learn from what is palpable and to appreciate the intangible. The paintings are meant to suggest the truth in the un-idealized moment--the actual truth only exists off the edges of my canvas, off stage, and in the experience of the viewer. Painting the objects in these compositions is like positioning characters on stage in a play, each adding to the dramatization Mark Bowers Little Blue Houses oil on panel 15h x 30w in 38.10h x 76.20w cm MJB008 Mark Bowers b. 1977 St. Joseph, MI Exhibitions 2013 American Painting Today: Physical and Visceral, Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, MI 2012 Fort Wayne Art Museum, Contemporary Realism Biennial, Fort Wayne, IN Rockford Art Museum Midwestern Biennial, Rockford, IL Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL 2009 Art Chicago, Represented by Ann Nathan Gallery, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL 2007 Beverly Arts Center Biennial, Chicago, IL Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL 2005 Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL 2003 Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI 2001 The Box Factory Gallery, St. Joseph, MI 2000 John G. Blank Center for the Arts, Michigan City, IN Michigan State...

"True North - Orientation" is a worms-eye view of a jumbled sky bursting with both fireworks and a rainbow. The surreal quality of the imagery makes the viewer question reality. Th...

Part of the Populous Constructions Series, these pieces are based on empathy - the ability to identify with or understand the perspective, experiences, or motivations of another indi...

"True North - Privilege" is a dream-like view of a cloud filled sky yet nothing feels quite real. The ellipsed edges confirm the scene as an inner vision rather than a window on the...

Mark Bowers- Artist Statement With the depiction of landscape playing such a central role in the history of North American art, it seemed to offer many of the critical possibilities ...

"True North - Brief" is a dream-like view of the rising sun turning the deep blue sky into a blaze of orange at the horizon. The surreal quality of the imagery makes the viewer ques...

"True North - Identity" is a worms-eye view of a brilliant blue sky with a maze of distinctive clouds. The surreal quality of the imagery makes the viewer question reality. Are the...

A sunset of explosive proportions is the subject of this surreal landscape entitled "True North - Equity". The brilliant light at the end of the end of the road illuminates the high...

Mark Bowers- Artist Statement With the depiction of landscape playing such a central role in the history of North American art, it seemed to offer many of the critical possibilities ...