Illustrator, designer, and muralist, Alexandra Bowman, caught our attention, thanks to her unique depiction of women. Highlighting the importance of representation, Bowman’s illustrated women come in all shapes, races, and sizes. But eerily enough, their faces are mostly blank, providing a sort of template for the post-modern woman.
Research shows that fair representation in the media is a critical component to changing the perception of women and minorities, and Bowman hopes that her illustrations spark a dialogue between the viewers. Visually, her work uses scale as a metaphor for the importance of untold stories.
With a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Bowman’s practice includes both traditional and digital mediums. And while most of Bowman’s commissioned work is created digitally, she’s not one to shy from more traditional forms of art. “You can purchase art supplies anywhere, but it’s really important to me to support local art shops,” she mentioned in an interview with Catapult. Art stores also provide sources of inspiration for her work. “There’s nothing more fulfilling than exploring a physical art store,” she notes. “Creative ideas can be cultivated just from being in that space.”
But as we know all too well, creativity also requires a healthy state of mind, and Bowman acknowledges that rest is equally important as putting in the work. “My work is only as exciting as my life experiences,” she relayed. “If I don’t take care of myself, my work will suffer. I try and fit in personal projects whenever I have time, so I can constantly keep growing and improving as an artist.”
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