Glasshouse in West Dean Gardens

In this, Bowey’s first venture into digital print-making, she was supported by Maciej Urbanek, one of the RA Schools printmaking tutors. This collaborative process allowed Bowey to experiment with various digital mark-making techniques to generate new work based on her distinctive pencil drawings on paper.

Bowey's work is characterised by its vigorous interrogation of her subject matter, which includes flowers, fruit and cacti. Bowey studied at the Royal College of Art when Ruskin Spear, Leonard Rosoman and Carel Weight were tutors. Initially interested in portraiture, Bowey later moved to the countryside to concentrate on landscape and still-life. One of her main sources of inspiration comes from the tradition of the artist-plantsman, particularly John Nash who was also teaching at the RCA.

The RA Editions programme generates valuable revenue for the RA and in particular the RA Schools.​​

One of a pair of digital prints derived from Olwyn Bowey RA’s intensive days spent drawing in the warmth of West Dean Victorian greenhouses, in West Sussex.

In Bowey’s making of her first digital prints she was supported by Maciej Urbanek, one of the RA Schools’ digital printmaking tutors. This collaborative process allowed Bowey to experiment with various digital mark-making techniques to generate new work based upon her distinctive, dynamic pencil drawings on paper which explore the lush environment and captivating perspective within West Dean’s traditional greenhouses. Laid out in the 1890s and 1900s, West Dean has now been extensively restored featuring a range of greenhouses, a working kitchen garden and Harold Peto’s 100m pergola.

All proceeds from the sale of RA Editions prints go directly to support the RA Schools.