B. 1893 – 1947

Born in Adelaide, Stella Bowen developed a passion for art early in life despite the constraints of a conservative upbringing. After her mother’s death in 1914, she moved to England to study at Westminster School of Art under Walter Sickert. During her time in Europe, Bowen was introduced to an influential circle of artists and writers, including Ford Madox Ford, with whom she moved to France in 1918.

While motherhood and her relationship with Ford took precedence over her painting, Bowen’s artistic journey resumed in 1923 following a transformative trip to Italy. There, she was inspired by the expressive gestures and rich textures of Italian masters like Giotto and Botticelli. Bowen's focus shifted to portraiture, which became both a creative outlet and a source of steady income.

One of Bowen’s most significant contributions came during World War II when she was appointed as one of five official Australian war artists. She painted soldiers and the Royal Australian Air Force in Britain, capturing the wartime spirit with vivid realism.

After her death in 1947, a memorial exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia in 1953 honoured her legacy. Bowen's work remained largely unknown until the 2000 exhibition Stella Bowen: Art, Love & War introduced her profound artistic achievements to a wider audience, cementing her place as a significant figure in Australian art history.

To read a more in-depth biography of the artist, click here.