LONDON.- Bowman Sculpture Gallery in London’s Mayfair district will shine a spotlight on the brightest and most promising talent in the world of sculpture with The Graduate Exhibition 2024, opening to the public on 30th October and running through to 22nd November.
This exceptional showcase will feature works by 13 young artists hand-picked from London’s foremost art institutions, including Central St Martins, Royal College of Art, City and Guilds, and SLADE, setting the stage for the next generation of sculptors.
The participating artists are; Alex Ford, Cami Brownhill, Caroline Berthelot Williams, Harmony-Cree Morgan, Harrison Lambert, Isis Powers-Bird, Lydia Smith, Naroul, Neal Camilleri, Rufus Martin, Ruth Speer, Yeye and Zayn Qahtani.
The Bowman Sculpture Graduate Exhibition will include a diverse array of sculptural styles and mediums, reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of contemporary sculpture. Each piece has been selected to highlight the unique vision and craftsmanship of its creator, offering visitors a glimpse into the future of sculptural art.
Rufus Martin ‘Lucifer 2'. Image courtesy of Bowman Sculpture.
A wide range of styles and aesthetics will be on display in the work of the young sculptors including; Isis Powers-Bird, a multimedia artist treating their practice as a space of freedom to seek out mystical experiences and transcendence of the body; Alex Ford, whose style has been described as 'Looney Tunes meets Hieronymous Bosch’, and will exhibit an anorexic Cookie Monster character; Ruth Spears, who combines painting, sculpture and carpentry with references to the Pre-Raphaelites and mythology; Naroul whose practice explores medieval history, witchcraft and the Chinese Zodiac; Lydia Smith, who creates organic forms recalling a young Barbara Hepworth; and Bahraini sculptor Zayn Qahtani who merges references to Islamic culture with surrealism.
Bowman Sculpture’s inaugural Graduate show is the brainchild of Director Mica Bowman, who is rapidly making a name for herself in the art world as a pioneering young curator with an eager eye for young talent. Mica is providing a platform for rising stars of sculpture such as Massimiliano Pelletti, who had a sellout show at Bowman Sculpture in 2023, as well as introducing more cultural diversity and gender-balance to the art world, for example with her all-Woman exhibition with Guerin Projects ‘The Power of She’ which opened at the gallery on International Women’s Day 2023.
Mica Bowman, Director, Bowman Sculpture Gallery explains: "Our Graduate Exhibition is more than just a display of new talent. It is a celebration of the innovative spirit and boundless creativity that these young sculptors bring to the art world. By featuring their work in such a prominent location, we aim to bridge the gap between emerging and established art circles."
Bowman, together with Head of Sales Daniel Pereira visited the graduate shows at the leading London art institutions, selecting artists representing a diverse range of ages, sculptural techniques and cultures, including Bahrain, China and Iran. This carefully curated selection of next generation sculptors will present artists who are pushing the boundaries of sculpture and working in a variety of mediums, as well as those who are reimagining or reinventing traditional methods of sculpture.
Caroline Berthelot Williams, Mother. Image courtesy of Bowman Sculpture.
For collectors, this exhibition represents a rare opportunity to discover and acquire works from the art world's rising stars at the outset of their careers. For the artists, it is a chance to engage with a broader audience, gain critical exposure, and build professional relationships within a historic and influential art market. The prices of the artworks featured in the exhibition range from as little as £20 through £18,000, ensuring there is something for collectors and art enthusiasts at every level. Whether you’re an experienced collector looking to invest in the next big name in sculpture or someone just beginning your journey into the art world, the exhibition offers accessible and diverse options.
Nestled in the prestigious Duke Street, St James's area, renowned for its sophisticated galleries and distinguished dealers, Bowman Sculpture Gallery’s latest exhibition offers a youthful contrast to its traditionally refined surroundings.
The gallery is widely considered to be the foremost gallery in the world for sculpture by Auguste Rodin and most recently exhibited Faces and Fables: Rodin's Portraiture, Great Commissions, Mythology, and Sculptural Innovations, a critically acclaimed exhibition that featured a stunning array of 30 sculptures from his earliest works through to the final pieces of his career.
A group of 13 young artists have been chosen to participate in the show in October. The exhibition features artists from various backgrounds, each with their own narrative and perspective. Almost all the artists have been hand-selected from some of the most prestigious art colleges in the Greater London area. The gallery has confirmed its intention to expand its reach to other universities within the UK as the Graduate Exhibitions progress.
"We are hoping that this exhibition will be a success and that it will become a permanent feature of the gallery's calendar." adds Daniel Pereira Head of Sales at Bowman Sculpture
Interestingly, two of the artists involved were not selected from graduate programs but were invited by Mica Bowman due to their growing success in the emerging art scene.
Mica Bowman states: "I believe it’s essential to shine a spotlight on artists who have consistently showcased their work and made significant strides in the art world over the past few years. Their perseverance and success speak to the strength of their talent and vision. The more we invest in these rising stars by providing opportunities for exposure and recognition, the more we contribute to a richer, more diverse cultural landscape for both artists and audiences alike."
Each artist brings a distinctive and deeply personal perspective to their work, reflecting a broad spectrum of experiences and identities. The works in this exhibition delve into themes of transformation, personal challenges, and the complexities of contemporary life, offering fresh and thought-provoking interpretations. Bowman Sculpture aims to present an inclusive and varied collection that highlights the richness of different backgrounds and viewpoints, fostering a space where diverse voices in the art world can be celebrated. Join us at Bowman Sculpture Gallery as we celebrate the bold and innovative voices of tomorrow’s sculptors in a space that honours the rich tradition of artistic excellence.
In addition to its rich history of specializing in 19th and 20th-century sculpture for over three decades, Bowman Sculpture Gallery has been progressively enhancing its reputation as a contemporary gallery. In recent years, the gallery has actively contributed to the contemporary market, significantly increasing its representation of contemporary artists. Notable recent additions include Massimiliano Pelletti, whose first solo show in London in October 2023 was a sell-out and who is set to feature in several more significant projects both internationally and within the UK and female artist Joanna Allen, who is scheduled to exhibit her first solo show at the gallery in April 2025.
