There is something mesmerising about Fred Fowler’s paintings. The multitude of small, colour-filled shapes scattered across a monochrome background raise a lot of questions. Is that a pink cat? A cactus? An alien? Next to a mobile phone tower? Are they related?

Other amorphous elements seem purely abstract but still somehow evoke a response; a memory, an emotion. The viewer is taken into an alternate space where objects might be floating or fixed but often not identifiable.

Ultimately it's a sensory experience which demands multiple viewings so it's not surprising that these works fly off gallery walls in sell-out shows.

Fred's work is held in the National Gallery of Australia and, although his roots are in graffiti art and graphic design, as soon as he began his studies at the Victorian College of the Arts it became clear to him the direction he should take.

In this interview he talks about that transition, the artists who have influenced him and the thoughts behind his work, openly sharing the struggles and doubts. It was a revealing and enjoyable conversation. 

Fred is represented by Sophie Gannon Gallery and Jan Murphy Gallery.

To hear the podcast interview click on play beneath the above feature photo.

A short Youtube video of Fred in his Melbourne studio will be uploaded to the Talking with Painters YouTube channel in the coming weeks.

Photo supplied by the artist
Upcoming shows

Solo show at Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne, 2023

Links

Fred Fowler website
Fred Fowler on Instagram
Fred Fowler at Jan Murphy Gallery
Fred Fowler at Sophie Gannon Gallery
Banksy
'The Element of Crime', Lars von Trier
'Cut Piece' - Yoko Ono
Francis Bacon
Ramellzee (YouTube documentary)
'In the Making, artist series' which includes part of Fred's video work 'Plc Ntrvw'
Digital work 'Samizdat 4' (cropped) 2021 as appears on Instagram


'Mooloomba Rd, Point Lookout' (2020), synthetic polymer paint and oil paint on wood panel,  90 x 100cm
 



'In this sunset' (2021), synthetic polymer paint on wood panel, 100 x 90 cm



'Overgrown' 2020, synthetic polymer paint and oil paint on wood panel, 100 x 90 cm



'Tarkine (study)' (2019), oil paint and gold leaf on wood panel, 70 x 60 cm


'Above Cylinder Beach' (2018), oil stick on wood panel, 60 x 70cm


Still from 'Samizdat 4' 2021, digital, looping

See video on Instagram (cropped) here

Dimensions: 1078 × 606
Duration: 0:15
Blockchain: Ethereum


'Cultural amnesia (Liquid State)' 2012, spraypaint and synthetic polymer paint on wood panel, 100 x 130cm