Frank Bowling: explorations in colour

Frank Bowling Rare & Limited Special Editions DACS Abstract Modern Art

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For six decades, Sir Frank Bowling OBE RA has dedicated his practice to exploring the endless possibilities of paint. Discover Bowling’s journey from Guyana to London, and career-defining time in New York, to becoming one of Britain’s foremost contemporary abstract painters.

Early life and career

Sir Frank Bowling OBE, RA, was born in British Guiana in 1934. He moved to London in 1953 with aspirations to write. After completing national service in the RAF he graduated from the Royal College of Art with the silver medal for painting in 1962, with a style combining figurative, symbolic and abstract elements. In 1966 Bowling moved to New York, where over the following years his style developed until he had abandoned figuration entirely, choosing to focus on material, colour and process, as seen in his iconic ‘map paintings’ (1967-1971).

While in New York Bowling was a contributing editor at Art Magazine (1969-1972), where his critical writing made a significant contribution to intellectual debates on ‘black art’, alongside curating the important exhibition 5+1, which showcased the work of five African American abstract artists as well as his own recent paintings.

Doughlah G.E.P., 1968-71

£320, framed special edition print

Rare & Limited Frank Bowling Special Editions Editions DACS Iconic 21st Century Artists Abstract Modern Art

The artist’s experimentation with paint continued with his series of ‘poured paintings’ (1973-1978), where he used a tilting platform to create his desired effect. Bowling returned to live and work in London in 1975 but continued to spend significant periods in New York, creating work with heavily textured surfaces that brought together techniques such as collage, poured paint, stencilling, staining, and stitching canvases to one another.

‘colour affects the eye and heart, physically and metaphorically, more directly than any other single element in painting.’

Sir Frank Bowling OBE RA

Rosebushtoo, 1975

£280, framed special edition print

Rare & Limited Frank Bowling Special Editions Editions DACS Abstract Modern Art Iconic 21st Century Artists

2000s – present

Moving between metaphors and autobiography, Bowling’s practice over the past two decades circles back to the painted surface and an exploration of material, colour and light, finding inspiration in the works of old masters John Constable and J.M.W. Turner.

Mining past techniques and formal concerns for inspiration, Bowling’s work mimics the fluidity of water. Utilising his honed process, Bowling uses a specific liquified paint mix containing water and ammonia to create the translucent, multilayered, vibrant and ethereal quality of his paintings. Works including Skyla’s Choice (2015) and Ashton’s Mix (2014) make direct references to the artist’s ‘poured paintings’ from the 1970s.

Sir Frank Bowling in his Peacock Yard Studio, 2026. Photo by Frederik Bowling @ Frank Bowling. Courtesy Frank Bowling Archive.

Skyla's Choice, 2015

£290, framed special edition print

New Rare & Limited Frank Bowling Special Editions Editions DACS Iconic 21st Century Artists Abstract Modern Art

In 2005, Frank Bowling became a Royal Academician, was awarded the OBE for services to Art in 2008 and a Knighthood in 2020. His work is represented in 50 collections worldwide, and has been exhibited extensively, including the 2017-2019 touring exhibition, Mappa Mundi, and a hugely successful retrospective at Tate Britain in 2019. More recent exhibitions include the São Paulo Biennial (Sept 2025–Jan 2026), where 25 of Bowling’s works were on display – the most of any artist being exhibited. Frank currently has works in many international exhibitions, as well as the solo show Frank Bowling: Seeking the Sublime, which is currently on display at The Fitzwilliam Museum (learn more).

At the age of 92, Bowling continues to work in his South London studio, accompanied by his wife, Rachel, family members, and friends, forever driven by his fascination with pushing the vast and radiant possibilities of paint.