Robin Gibson Gallery

modern + contemporary

Stephen Bowers

Unearthed: the pleasures of pottery

4 – 29 August 2018
extended to 26 September

As the title suggests, “Unearthed” is a play on ‘unplugged’ “ it’s a chance to give audiences a direct, intimate experience of a sampling my work, some from the deep archives, some from a few years ago and some fresh from the fire. I think these pieces present a good cross-section of my techniques and interests. Anyone who knows my work will recognise the range of scale – from quite large to quite small “ and the decorative detail, whimsical humour and slightly surreal compositions.

I often work in batches or series and this exhibition contains some of the last pieces from the Camouflage table service, Trios and Mugs. Whilst I will go on to make more plates, cups and mugs etc, these particular batches, with their distinct materials, forms and sizes will never be made again. In a small way it’s the end of an epoch. These series are unique and are now complete. No more of their exact kind can be produced.

“Unearthed” celebrates a long and enjoyable connection to The Robin Gibson Gallery which, for over 40 years since the mid 1980’s has consistently and enthusiastically supported and promoted my work. It gives me great pleasure to have these works in this exhibition. I trust it’s a pleasure that can be shared.

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Time-lapse video by Grant Hancock of Stephen Bowers at work on one of his "Camouflage Plates" - from Robin Gibson on Vimeo.

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Stephen Bowers is interested in craft traditions, natural history, memory and commentary. He has participated in numerous exhibitions within Australia and overseas, including the UK, USA, Norway, Italy, Denmark and China.

His work is represented in many collections, including the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem USA, Kerry Stokes Collection, Perth WA, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn USA, National Museum of Art Architecture and Design, Oslo Norway, Los Angeles County Museum of Modern Art, USA, Museum of International Ceramic Art, Denmark, Australian National Gallery, Canberra ACT, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney NSW, Art Gallery of Queensland, National Museum of History, Taipei Taiwan, The Mitchell Library, Sydney NSW, etc.

From 2004 to 2009 he managed the International Craft Initiative (ICI) on behalf of the VACD Board of the Australia Council, developing survey presentations of contemporary Australian craft for exhibition in Chicago, Munich and London. In 2015 he undertook a Churchill Fellowship to research blue and white ceramic collections in the USA, the UK, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Earlier this year he exhibited at the New York Ceramics and Glass Fair and at the Frick Art Museum Pittsburgh. In September he will exhibit at The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh.

for more on Stephen Bowers including CV click here


We accept payment by
cash, EFT, lay-buy, credit card and Art Money

All sold works are available for collection at the end of the exhibition. If you require shipping we can put you in touch with a suitable courier

gallery hours
11am-6pm Wednesday to Saturday



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