Thomas Bowker

My work must communicate before I could call it art. One of the first, if not thee first query asks “What is the message of this piece?” What do I want to say? How do I want to say it? and What materials do I use to best convey the message? I do, however, feel unique in my ability to express ideas and concepts that many possess in a very creative and understandable way to a broad audience by using a large variety of dissimilar materials. My art is a visual, concrete and elemental language represented in two and three dimensional works and is done in a direct fashion, rarely making use of a maquette or preliminary drawings. I do not try to restrict or narrow its translation, choosing rather to broaden its meaning and impact to the greatest possible audience. I engage the viewer’s mind to think about their closely held beliefs…to challenge their aesthetic understanding and question their own values”. My inspiration is drawn from sculptors Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, Manuel Neri and others and the art I create is not restricted to any one medium which typically represents a deep probing and often metaphorical investigation. Tom was born and raised in Ohio and currently lives in Santa Fe with his wife, Carole, who also is an artist. He has exhibited works in numerous states across the country, and has garnered many awards for his artistic excellence, including the renowned Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio.