Artwork
Mother Approaching Sixty
Mother Approaching Sixty is a print by Frank Bowling. It dates from 2003 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print shows a portrait by Frank Bowling, made in 2003. It’s a rare step away from his usual big oil paintings.
Bowling grew up in Guyana, studied in London, then left for New York where his style shifted. Even so, this print brings back portraiture, especially images of mothers.
Check out more of Bowling’s work at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
Mother Approaching Sixty is a print by Frank Bowling, created in 2003 as a fundraiser for Aljira, a contemporary art center in Newark, New Jersey. Notably, it deviates from Bowling's typical medium of oil or acrylic on canvas, marking a rare exploration in printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The print features a portrait of the artist's mother, aligning with a tradition of artists depicting their mothers. This subject matter also signifies a temporary return to figurative representation in Bowling's oeuvre, which had largely been dominated by Abstract Expressionism since his stylistic shift in New York.
Technique & Style
While the specific printmaking techniques used are not detailed, the work's medium represents a processual departure for Bowling. The stylistic approach, however, blends the intimacy of portraiture with the expressive potential inherent in his Abstract Expressionist background, though the latter's influence may be subdued in favor of the subject's portrayal.
History & Provenance
Created in 2003 for Aljira in Newark, New Jersey, this print supported the center, which also hosted a retrospective of Bowling's work that year. Its creation reflects the artist's engagement with the community and his versatility in responding to project-specific briefs.
Context
Bowling's career trajectory—from Guyana to London and then New York—influenced his stylistic evolution. This print, while anomalous in medium, touches on themes of personal and artistic roots, given its subject and the brief return to figurative themes.
Legacy
As a singular work in Bowling's printmaking output and a rare figurative piece from his later career, 'Mother Approaching Sixty' offers a unique lens through which to view the artist's adaptability and his connection to traditional themes in modern art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Richard Sheridan Patrick Michael Aloysius Franklin Bowling (né Richard Sheridan Franklin Bowling; born 26 February 1934), known as Frank Bowling, is a British artist who was born in British Guiana.
