Bill Bowen

Born in Charlestown, Indiana, and a graduate of Charlestown High School

BS in Commercial Art from University of Evansville, Evansville, Indiana

MFA in Ceramics from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana

Currently employed at The New Washington State Bank as an IT Coordinator

Has previously participated in juried and group Art Exhibitions at University of Evansville Krannert Gallery, Evansville Museum of Art and Science, Indiana State University Turman Gallery, Habatat Shaw Gallery (Michigan), Floyd County Museum, Louisville Water Tower Gallery, Louisville Visual Art Association, Michael Dunn Gallery at Oakland City University, and etc.

Bill's Artist Statement

"If you don't know where you are going you'll probably end up somewhere else" -- Laurence Johnston Peter

This quote has as much truth in art as it does life. Sometimes my art is planned out from the early conception to the finished product. Most of the time I make art with only a vague idea in mind and the piece I'm working on will go in many directions and experience many changes before the finished product emerges.

In terms of influence I have always enjoyed looking at Pop Art, Surrealism, and Contemporary Art. I didn't intend to emulate any of those art movements or any particular artist but I think my work does reflect my interests in those art movements.

There are several reoccurring themes and elements in my work. The octopus and helmet diver are two images that are most commonly found in my work. They reflect different sides of me. The diver symbolizes many things. Some of the things the diver represents are the human, the masculine, the intellectual, the logical, and the civilized. Some of the things the octopus symbolizes are the animal, the feminine, the intuitive, the emotional and the primal side of my personality.

I'm not asking the viewers to discover or understand the cryptic messages in my work. I only hope they will come away with the sensation that the work has more than just a collection of visual elements. I'm also hoping that maybe the viewers will be inspired to create their own stories and emotions from the images in front of them.

Not knowing where you are going (in life and art) can lead you into some pretty interesting directions. You might end up somewhere else but sometimes that can be a pretty nice place.

Gean Bowen

Born in South Korea, and a graduate of Castle High School, Newburgh, Indiana

BA in Fine Arts from Oakland City College (Oakland City University now) , Oakland City, Indiana

MFA in Ceramics from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana

Currently employed at The New Washington State Bank in the Loan Dept.

Has Previously participated in juried and group Art Exhibitions at ISU Turman Gallery, Louisville Water Tower Gallery, The Farrell Colleciton (Washington DC), Evansville Museum of Art and Science, Leah Ransbury Gallery (Indianapolis), Herron Gallery (Indianapolis), Korean Arts Center (Los Angeles), Michael Dunn Gallery at Oakland City Univerity, and etc.

Gean's Artist Statement

There are many different kinds of art -- decorative, functional, conceptual, sculptural, spiritual, and so on.  If I make a bowl, it must be created with the combination of functionality and beauty that comes with shape, design, and color.  At the same time, if I make art, it comes from what I want to say and how I feel.  My art always has been very personal matter to me. They are inspired by my surroundings, people, places, feelings, and things. They are usually very simple, symbolic, and quiet. Maybe it is because I grew up in a very passive and reserved family. I have always envied spontaneous and outgoing people who can easily communicate with others verbally. I think that’s why I have developed the other way to express myself -- visually.

Making art is a self-therapeutic instrument for me, and I always try to find the answers to the ultimate questions of "who am I?"  and "why am I here?"  Human is a social animal that always must communicate with others. There is no any other way to survive. Whether we like it or not, we are tied with one another by invisible rope.  When we try to connect or disconnect that rope, we run into the anguish and confusion starting to control over our emotion. My art is my attempt to understand that bridge between human and emotion, interpretations of myself, and relationships with and of others.

As an artist, once I create something, it’s no longer entirely my possession, but everybody else’s. When I express myself through art pieces, they become the viewers’ chances to interpret their lives, instead of mine. Art always should make you think.  As my art helps me to realize who I am constantly, I hope they can find some answers of their own and feel something personal to them. Further more, I hope they can relate their lives to those pieces and understand themselves a little better. One of my favorite artists is a German Expressionist painter Edvard Munch. He once said, “In my art, I have tried to explain to myself life and its meaning—I have also meant to help others to clarify their lives.” I hope my art shows the same values and opportunities that he has given to me.