Saturday 1st July – Wednesday 30th August 2023

Our next exhibition in the ‘Inside Out Gallery’ at the Heritage Centre is ‘Meditation’ by local artist and calligrapher Chris Bowen.

Chris has been a calligrapher for many years but started out as an oil painter.  He studied at Hornsey College, London before working as a ceramic artist at Royal Worcester. He says that he didn’t like the repetitive nature of the work so went into teaching, working in Worcester, Widnes and Liverpool before moving north to Blackfyne Comprehensive School as Head of Art, taking over from Sheila Mackie and then Derwentside College.

He was a member of the Liverpool Academy and couldn’t help being inspired by meeting so many creative people. He has practised and taught fine art and calligraphy for over 30 years and is passionate about historical scripts, having studied many original manuscripts at Durham Cathedral library.

He also produces more abstract work combining colourful backgrounds with medieval text and has exhibited in both Durham Cathedral and Hexham Abbey.

‘I use layers of lettering and imagery in response to words that have moved me in some way. Collage, printing, found objects, together with references to architectural elements, illustration, names, places, dynamic symmetry and sacred geometry combine to produce a complex interplay of colour, texture and line in my final images.

The poem, phrase or chance word that provided the initial impetus may not

be obvious but will always be there somewhere.’

Chris is also leading a Calligraphy workshop at the Heritage Centre during his exhibition.  Limited spaces and booking essential.  Find out more here.

Please ask a member of our team if interested in purchasing any artworks from the exhibition.