Portrait Sketch of L.S. Lowry 1963 - 1964

Editor: This is Olwyn Bowey’s portrait sketch of L.S. Lowry. The visible brushstrokes and the contrasting red background are immediately striking. What can you tell me about Bowey's approach to portraiture here? Curator: Note how Bowey manipulates the materiality of paint. The impasto in Lowry’s face contrasts with the flat planes of color. The texture directs our gaze and enlivens the composition. The geometry of the chair suggests a grid, against which Lowry's organic form sits. Editor: So, the focus is less on likeness and more on the arrangement of form and color? Curator: Precisely. The semiotics of color, the arrangement of line and form – these are the keys to unlocking Bowey’s intention. What have we learned? Editor: I see now that Bowey prioritized the formal elements to convey character, rather than aiming for a photographic likeness.