RECENT FUTURE DISTANT PAST
Sophie Gannon Gallery
08 Nov 2023 – 25 Nov 2023
The works in Recent Future / Distant Past stem from Fowler’s recent research subjects: astral travel, treasure hordes, ancient map symbology, extinction events, hobo graffiti, archaeological finds and iconoclasm. His paintings possess a quality of simultaneous familiarity and mystery. He explains” with every painting there are several choices to be made between the recognisable and the unknown”.
In order to differentiate the journey from the destination, Fowler states that “no painting is done until it earns the right to not be destroyed”. Then it has arrived, is accepted as a painting, an authentic artefact.
Employing both an additive and reductive process and a luminous palette, Fowler approached these paintings like an archaeologist searching for fragments, sifting, and then describing his finds through form, colour and texture. Some findings are brought to the surface, and some are buried again, creating alluring arrangements which float between abstraction and figuration. For example, in the painting ‘A radically condensed history of preindustrial life’, Fowler sets up a space which is not at once understandable. Bodies of water, bronze sculptures, a Viking shield and an arrowhead share the stage with more recognisable symbols and abstract elements. The ambiguity disrupts the viewers comprehension, which compels a longer and deeper look.
This kind of visually magnetic interaction, not uncommon to Fowler’s paintings, evokes the relationship between a direct visual encounter and memory or emotion.
Fred FowlerGive 2023synthetic polymer paint, spray paint, spray ink, watercolour, coloured pencil, mica flakes, gold leaf and oil paint on masonite board122 x 91.5 cm●●
Fred FowlerA radically condensed history of preindustrial life 2023synthetic polymer paint, oil paint, oil stick, spray paint, mica flakes, course alumina, coloured pencil and gold leaf on masonite panel122 x 91.5 cm●●
Fred FowlerThe porousness of borders 2023synthetic polymer paint, oil paint, oil stick, spray paint, mica flakes, course alumina, coloured pencil and gold leaf on masonite panel122 x 91.5 cm$8,000.00
Fred FowlerShe watched the moon fall from the sky 2023synthetic polymer paint, oil paint, oil stick, spray paint, mica flakes and coloured pencil on masonite panel122 x 91.5 cm●●
Fred FowlerRecent future / distant past 2023synthetic polymer paint, oil paint, oil stick, spray paint and gold leaf on masonite panel122 x 91.5 cm$8,000.00
Fred FowlerDesert wormhole (study) 2023synthetic polymer paint, oil paint, oil stick, spray paint, spray ink and coloured pencil on canvas50 x 40 cm●●
Fred FowlerProtectorate (study) 2023synthetic polymer paint, oil paint, oil stick, spray paint, spray paint, spray ink and coloured pencil on canvas50 x 40 cm●●
Fred FowlerRemnants of polis (study) 2023synthetic polymer paint, oil paint, oil stick, spray paint, spray ink, coloured pencil and gold leaf on canvas50 x 40 cm$3,000.00
Fred FowlerAdrift at night 2023synthetic polymer paint, spray paint, mica flakes, course alumina and coloured pencil on masonite panel122 x 91.5 cm$8,000.00
Fred FowlerNative forest as paradigm 2023synthetic polymer paint, oil stick, spray paint and coloured pencil on masonite panel122 x 91.5 cm$8,000.00
