Dean Bowen is a contemporary Australian print-maker, painter, and sculptor based in Victoria. Across his various disciplines, Bowen’s ‘radical innocence’ artistic style has seen him create an aesthetic language which celebrates serendipitous simplicity in an increasingly urbanised world. Using this visual lexicon, Bowen’s works often feature Australian native wildlife and scenes of suburban domestic living, imbuing them with a distinct sense of youthful optimism and joy.

In his 1998 etching ‘Echidna’, Bowen uses the native Australian animal as a totemic representation of how he sees himself within the universe. Using his signature stylistic approach, Bowen infuses the echidna with a distinct sense of personality, creating the impression that he is both animal and man. With glowing red eyes and large accented spines, the echidna appears solitary in the scene, seemingly posing for a portrait. As with many of Bowen’s works, beneath the innocent visual appearance lies a profound investigation into man’s relationship with the ever-changing world.

With a practice spanning over 40 years, Bowen has regularly exhibited both nationally and internationally. Across his various disciplines, Bowen is represented within many major art institutions, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the National Gallery of Australia and the Australian War Memorial. For collectors of contemporary Australian printmaking and lovers of distinctly Australian iconography, ‘Echidna’ is a delightful find.

Dean BOWEN (1957 - )
'Echidna' 1998
etching on paper
Edition of 25
Image Size: 76 x 113 cm
Framed Dimensions: 95 x 131 x 5 cm
Signed: Signed, titled and editioned in lower margin of image.
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Condition is very good 

This work is published in ‘Dean Bowen Argy - Bargy’ by Sheridan Palmer , Macmillan, 2009, illustrated page 20, another impression from the edition

(c) Dean Bowen / Copyright Agency