OUR TAKE
You won’t find any hidden messages if you cross your eyes, we’ve tried. However, a closer look reveals the intense detail implemented throughout Joseph Bowman’s illustrations. His process of photocopying individual components, cutting them, and laying each out in a repetitive fashion is a simple, yet laborious technique yielding a view of stunning landscapes. Shades of black against white and rich detail leave room for just enough negative space to mimic the thickness of a forest or the density of a city. Classic storybook drawings (e.g. Sir Edward Burne-Jones’ Canterbury Tales) are evoked, and allow entry into a foreign land that serves experiences beyond words and previous imaginations.

BIO
Joseph Bowman (1752-1779) was an officer in the American Revolutionary War who served in the Illinois campaign. Maj. Bowman participated in the 1778 capture of Fort de Chartres, and remained there for some time as the commander of the newly renamed Fort Bowman. While attending a victory celebration, Maj. Bowman was injured by an accidental gunpowder explosion and later succumbed to his injuries, becoming the only American officer to die in the Illinois campaign. He now lives and works in Los Angeles.

WEBSITE
www.flikr.com/photos/jpowersbowman