Statement
Growing up in West Somerset, Day Bowman's childhood summers were often spent drinking gritty tea out of plastic cups on a windswept beach staring out at the industrial shapes surrounding the quay and beyond at Minehead. Whilst studying at Chelsea School of Art and London University, she often found herself walking this same stretch of coastline when making trips back home.
It is little surprise that the sea and tides, the industrial areas and vacant lots surrounding all ports have had a strong influence on Bowman's work. She explains: "This is a journey through the urban and post-industrial landscape of an ageing world where I have set out to challenge our perceptions of place, of memory and of loss". Her paintings shape this journey - fleeting glimpses from a car or train window, or departing ferry; quays, rusting hulks and oil drums, nuclear reactors, depots and gasometers. Bowman's view of these often overlooked corners offer an alternative view of industrial architecture and how it has shaped the landscape.
Bowman's latest project, The Urban Wastelands, continues its tour with a 3 week show at Dorchester Arts then travelling to Quay Arts, Isle of Wight. Small works from the project will be on show at The Art Stable, in Child Okeford (26 Nov - 17 Dec). Day is also showing archive and back-catalogue works on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October as part of the Open Studios event at Impress House, in Acton (London W3 7QH, open to the public 12 noon-6pm).
