For Movements of the Mind, I created a series of narrative vignettes influenced by ekphrasis, a
literary exercise to produce vivid written descriptions of visual works of art. Each narrative can
be read alone as an individual movement, tied to a specific artwork in the exhibition, or
combined in their entirety, forming an expanded narrative that explores our shifting internal
perceptions through the course of a day.
The structure of the writing was influenced by conversations between the writer and the artist,
and by the style of the paintings on display.
-John Bowyer
GOOD LIFE
acrylic on canvas40”x 52”
so it begins.
the vibrant start of something good
pitching you from your chair and in all the wrong directions
if you let it.
existing on fragmented planes. physical
emotional
spiritual.
dynamic landscapes of our own creation pulled
into form from our mind’s recesses.
moving with urgency, unwavering
on the odyssey.
the vibrant start of something good
pitching you from your chair and in all the wrong directions
if you let it.
existing on fragmented planes. physical
emotional
spiritual.
dynamic landscapes of our own creation pulled
into form from our mind’s recesses.
moving with urgency, unwavering
on the odyssey.
WOMAN IN BROWN
acrylic on canvas36”x 48”
the weather turns cold.
her expression remains the same taking it all in before her
casting reflections internally to the core.
she stands above the lives circulating
about her elegant unchanging structure
as the seasons shift.
her expression remains the same taking it all in before her
casting reflections internally to the core.
she stands above the lives circulating
about her elegant unchanging structure
as the seasons shift.
COUPLE DANCING
acrylic and charcoal on canvas30” x 36”
there’s a private beat, a secret rhythm they
hear in eachother’s ears.
limbs tangled like trees reaching out from opposite
sides of the road
two lives at another intersection
finding private comfort in their contrast.
(SOLD)
hear in eachother’s ears.
limbs tangled like trees reaching out from opposite
sides of the road
two lives at another intersection
finding private comfort in their contrast.
(SOLD)
LOUNGING AT SUNSET
acrylic on canvas24” x 36”
at the end of another, thoughts coasting in neutral
warm cells at the surface
cradled above the ground.
in these moments the air is still
emotions ebb
sometimes somber
looking ahead to the arrival of another morning
another sun
another version of yourself.
warm cells at the surface
cradled above the ground.
in these moments the air is still
emotions ebb
sometimes somber
looking ahead to the arrival of another morning
another sun
another version of yourself.
MOVING ON
acrylic on canvas24” X 30”
striking out,
single bodies exploring the atmosphere outside of ourselves
each of us a god of doors.
we are all a series of shapes pulled together presented to the world
casting minimal ripples in time.
single bodies exploring the atmosphere outside of ourselves
each of us a god of doors.
we are all a series of shapes pulled together presented to the world
casting minimal ripples in time.
PLEASANT EVENING
acrylic on canvas48” X 30”
naked and unashamed in your true form as
claret runs from the glass into your waiting vessel.
pulp passing beneath the fingertips stirs a
deep-seated contentment, spread throughout
the arteries and veins mapping you in this space
of private revelry.
claret runs from the glass into your waiting vessel.
pulp passing beneath the fingertips stirs a
deep-seated contentment, spread throughout
the arteries and veins mapping you in this space
of private revelry.
DANCING IN BLUE
acrylic and charcoal on canvas30” x 48”
and in the private struggles reflexive muscles tighten
turning our anatomy from flesh and changing our self.
remembering polyphemus in his solitude
cast all around by the sea.
our mind goes there too
swimming through the tide that saps our strength before
discovering the inevitable shore that
brings hope for salvation.
turning our anatomy from flesh and changing our self.
remembering polyphemus in his solitude
cast all around by the sea.
our mind goes there too
swimming through the tide that saps our strength before
discovering the inevitable shore that
brings hope for salvation.
ANGER
acrylic on canvas24” x 30”
carved up and hollowed out
pulling back at the rope that pulls you back under
the palms of your hands frayed and laced with coarse strands
coated in copper tasting oil.
pulling back at the rope that pulls you back under
the palms of your hands frayed and laced with coarse strands
coated in copper tasting oil.
NIGHTTIME REFLECTION
acrylic on canvas48” X 24”
how different the atmosphere looks under cover of night
shadows shifting through time taking on new forms
another world come to life as you watch
quietly, contemplating the lives coming out in these hours.
somewhere before you the chalk outline of
another being glazed by the moon
sharing in the nocturnal that we slip into
comfortably.
shadows shifting through time taking on new forms
another world come to life as you watch
quietly, contemplating the lives coming out in these hours.
somewhere before you the chalk outline of
another being glazed by the moon
sharing in the nocturnal that we slip into
comfortably.
VIDEO WORK BY NICO DEMO (@rabinicodemo)
WRITINGS BY JOHN BOWYER
(@johnfbowyer)