We welcome in San Francisco-based artist Robert Bowen as he joins us for his debut RUN Beatrix. With his first RUN Bowen blends a gnarly combination of nature and machinery for a signature style all his own. Read on as Bowen gives us the skinny on Beatrix and much more, be sure to grab his first release and check out some original artwork from the California based artist…
1x: Tell us a little bit about this piece?
Robert Bowen: Her name is Beatrix. She thinks she’s shiny, pretty, and fancy.
1x: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had?
Robert Bowen: This piece is part of an ongoing series of combining animals with machinery or shitty human made things that breakdown and are the opposite of what nature intended.
1x: What materials were used to create this piece?
Robert Bowen: This was done with acrylic and anxiety on canvas.
1x: When was these piece created and how long did it take to complete?
Robert Bowen: It was created in 2016, and took about a week to finish.
1x: Is there anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Robert Bowen: I don’t know, maybe the attention to detail?
1x: Does this piece differ at all from work you’ve done in the past. If so, what do you feel is unique about this piece?
Robert Bowen: It might differ a lot from the pop culture pieces I’ve done in the past, but it is definitely in line with the current pieces I’m about. We as a force of nature totally overstepping our boundaries.
1x: If you could take a guess, what is it about your work that you feel resonates with people?
Robert Bowen: Maybe it’s the juxtaposition of coldness and beauty? The familiar wrenched up against the semi-familiar? Maybe people just like shiny things.
1x: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Robert Bowen: Eye-catching.
Beatrix by Robert Bowen – Click To Purchase
1x: When did you first start making art?
Robert Bowen: I always drew as kid. I got a little more serious with it towards the end of high school and met some like minded individuals that helped me realize that’s what I wanted to do.
1x: Do you remember what your first piece was?
Robert Bowen: You know, I thought I did, but as I started writing this answer a bunch of old terrible images popped into my head, so I guess, I don’t.
Daisy by Robert Bowen – Click To Purchase
1x: Which artists did you draw inspiration from early on?
Robert Bowen: I would have to say Dali, Bosch, Francis Bacon, Ralph Steadman, Giger, the friends I had around in the late 90’s in the graffiti movement.
1x: Which artists inspire you now?
Robert Bowen: A lot of the same, but with a bit more Mother Nature, Ford, Chevy, and Lockheed Martin thrown in.
1x: What would you say is your ideal environment like when working? Do you listen to music, watch movies etc.?
Robert Bowen: Music is definitely key, a little 90’s Hip-Hop, some Velvet Underground, a bit of Bowie, maybe an old movie I’ve seen a billion times (insert Big Trouble in Little China) that stuff just gets the juices flowing.
1x: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Robert Bowen: Probably my Lords Crew brother Nychos, I just think that would be hella fun, and BIG!
1x: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Robert Bowen: That’s a good Question… Hieronymus Bosch, I would just love to see one of my bastardized creatures mixed in with his beautiful bizarre orgies, like Waldo.
Green Machine by Robert Bowen – Click To Purchase
1x: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Robert Bowen: It was a wall hanging piece called Boss Tweed by Liz McGrath. Fuck yeah I still have that, It’s hanging in my living room.
1x: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Robert Bowen: Man, it’s been a couple years, but it was an awesome piece by Matt Ritchie called Lies. Its four Mickey Mouse bodies each with no head and the letters L, I, E and S on its chest.
1x: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Robert Bowen: Honestly, nothing to major show wise, but I am trying to get some figures of my work out there!
1xRUN: Where else can people find you?
Robert Bowen: Website – Instagram @bowenstuff – Twitter @bowenstuff
-1xRUN