Pink Bowling

I saw Frank Bowling’s work at Hauser & Wirth today.

Frank Bowling is one of those artists whose work I feel intrinsically linked to. We talk about people whose work inspires or influences us, but with a rare few it feels stronger than that. The closest way to describe it is as if he were an artist-parent, whose work helps me understand who I want to be. (My other two artist-parents are Howard Hodgkin and Richard Long). When I happen upon their work in a gallery, that moment of recognition brings me the greatest happiness, and an involuntary smile explodes from within. It’s like bumping into a rarely-seen but much-loved friend (I’ll actually say hello out loud - but I’ll stop short of attempting a hug).

The two paintings at Hauser & Wirth are a celebration of Frank Bowling’s 90th birthday. ‘Hello Rosa New York’ was painted in 1973, while ‘Thanks to Water’ was completed last year. Both contain the glorious hues of radiant pinks and yellows that Frank Bowling layers up gradually, pouring the paint and allowing it to soak and run. He has been a huge influence on my work, both in his method and his use of colour. Every time I use pink tones, from coral and rose to neon and fluro, it’s a tribute to him.