Dave Bowers Studio

A Sculptural journey

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Artist Bio

Dave began his sculptural journey 25 years ago in the medium of wood.  Starting with wood turning, the turnings became sculpted turnings that then transitioned to sculpture. The refinement and mastery of his sculptural form in wood is now finding its way into cast glass.  Abilities and understandings developed over the years sculpting wood translate to this new medium.  Sculpting casting models to mold rely on skills already developed through many years of wood.  Cold working glass is very similar to sanding and finishing wood.

With so much experience in wood, why glass?  Initially Dave was exposed to glass through his parents, his first major experience was 2003's Chihuly at the Conservatory, Columbus Ohio.  He was hooked, his fascination with glass began.  Dave continued to study and appreciate glass, eventually taking glass blowing lessons. He helped build equipment for a hot shop and assisted there. As his knowledge expanded it became clear casting would allow Dave to develop the sculptures he wants to make.  The inner space of a casting has always fascinated him but the day he saw David Ruth's work it was a WOW moment.

Primarily self-taught, the sculpture has been developed and refined over the years.  Dave has studied with wood turners such as David Ellsworth and Graeme Pridlle.  He has attended Pittsburgh Glass Center cold working classes with Frantisek Janak and Chad Holliday, and has a long standing mentorship with Harry Pollitt. His work has been represented at SOFA Chicago, del Mano Gallery, and in publications including Thought Art magazine and Masters of Contemporary Wood Art.  Dave’s work is in the permanent collection of the American Association of Woodturners.  Currently he is represented by Arbor Gallery and online with Wood Symphony gallery.

Where does Dave go from here? Glass casting is playing a larger role.  It's qualities allow different expressions of his sculpture.  It has spurred new ideas, some for wood, some for glass, some for both.  As Dave’s work expands and redefines, glass is taking a more important sculptural role. Paralleling with wood, glass provides different experiences within the same forms.

Art keeps me balanced, creating it is who I am. 

 

Sculpture is a necessary part of my life.  My current choices of medium are wood and glass.  I've dabbled some in metal and others, who knows where I'll end up or what I'll use.  Throughout the pages of this website you'll find my affliction of wood and growing passion for glass.  I started this journey almost 25 years ago thanks to a retired Ohio State Dentistry professor.  Glass has transitioned from a very strong interest to a passion, Initially introduced to it through acquaintances and Dale Chihuly videos research and education has continued.  As my glass education grew so did my interest in casting.  At one point a came across David Ruth's work and it was that WOW moment.  To see what could be done with the inner space of sculpture. Both disciplines take a large amount of time but I intend to continue both.

Solo Exhibitions

2021                       Contemporary Nouveau, d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA

 
Selected Exhibitions

2022                       Turned and Sculpted Wood 2021, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2021                       Turned and Sculpted Wood 2021, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2020                       Glass Gathering Online Exhibition, glassgatheringartshow2020.artcall.org
2020                       Turned and Sculpted Wood 2020, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2019                       Turned and Sculpted Wood 2019, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2018                       Turned and Sculpted Wood 2018, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2018                       Small Treasures, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2017                       Turned and Sculpted Wood 2017, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2016                       Turned and Sculpted Wood 2016, Wood Symphony Gallery, www.woodsymphony.com
2015                       Turned & Sculpted Wood, del Mano – A Gallery of Fine Contemporary Craft, Los Angeles,

                                                                                                                                                                         CA
2014                       Turned & Sculpted Wood, del Mano – A Gallery of Fine Contemporary Craft, Los Angeles,

                                                                                                                                                                         CA
2014                       Hot Tea! (summer/fall), del Mano-A Gallery of Fine Contemporary Craft, Los Angeles, CA
2013                       Turned & Sculpted Wood, del Mano – A Gallery of Fine Contemporary Craft, Los Angeles,

                                                                                                                                                                         CA
2013                       AICUO Walking Exhibition Short North, Brandt-Roberts Gallery, Columbus, OH
2011                       New Perspectives in Wood, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2011                       Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Exposition, Chicago, IL
2010                       Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Exposition, Chicago, IL
2008                       November Gallery Hop, Short North – Phia Salon, Columbus, OH
2004                       Relationships:  A Part of the Whole - Photography and Woodturning, High Road Gallery,

                               Worthington, OH

 
Juried shows

2019                       Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, Cox Fine Arts Center, Columbus OH
2018                       Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, Cox Fine Arts Center, Columbus OH
2006                       Step up to the Plate The American Association of Woodturners Gallery, Louisville KY,

                               St. Paul MN, Ashville NC.
2005                       Return to the Land of Oz The American Association of Woodturners Gallery,

                               Overland Park KS, St. Paul MN, Ashville NC, Portland OR.

 
Collections

2007                       The American Association of Woodturners Gallery, St. Paul, MN

 
Commissions

2022                       Private Residence Wall Sculpture Commission
2013                       Designer & Sculptor of Awards for the AICUO Awards for Excellence in the Visual Arts,

                               Columbus, OH


Awards

2019                       Ohio Arts Council: A Perspective From Nature, Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition,

                               Cox Fine Arts Center, Columbus OH

 
Selected Publications and media

2022                       Masters of Contemporary Wood Art Volume 4, Wood Symphony Gallery,

                               www.woodsymphony.com
2021                       Masters of Contemporary Wood Art Volume 3, Wood Symphony Gallery,

                               www.woodsymphony.com
2020                       Masters of Contemporary Wood Art Volume 2, Wood Symphony Gallery,

                               www.woodsymphony.com
2020                       Thought Art magazine, Issue 2
2020                       The Woodcarvers Gazette, Spring 2020
2019                       The Woodcarvers Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 26, Autumn 2019
2019                       Masters of Contemporary Wood Art Volume 2, Wood Symphony Gallery,

                               www.woodsymphony.com
2018                       Masters of Contemporary Wood Art  Wood Symphony Gallery www.woodsymphony.com
2018                       The Woodcarvers Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 21 Summer 2018
2018                       Woodworker West, July-August 2018
2011                       Woodturning Today, A Dramatic Evolution American Association of Woodturners,

                               Fox Chapel Publishing Inc.
2008                       American Woodturner. Volume 22, Issue 2. “AAW Rolls Out Young Turners Program"

 
Demonstrations and Lectures

2007                       21st annual American Association of Woodturners Symposium, Portland OR.