Ken Cowell is a painter of light and vision influenced by the waterways and coast of Southern Tasmania.
From his studio in Nubeena Bay Ken Cowell paints great soft maritime pieces that express the mysterious mingling of water, fog, land, sea and ship. His first exhibition with Nolan Gallery explored Bruny Island’s perilous maritime past through the narrative of historic shipwrecks all expressed with rich, layered oil glazes. Works on paper in oil pastel and oils show the expressive process that underlies his oil paintings.
Influenced by JM Turner Cowell’s multilayered gestural works evoke the Romantic painters of the 1800’s but are essentially Modern abstract expressionism in their form.
Ken’s recent work explores the Convict Tramway, arguably the first railway in Australia. This was used to transport passengers and goods from ships to Port Arthur and depicts the passengers with the convicts toiling though the mist. In 2023 he broadened his interest to include works about the grounding of the SS Nubeena at Pipeclay Lagoon.
Ken gained his Degree in Fine Art at the National Art School Sydney and lectured at the National Art School Newcastle.
To view his Adventure Bay exhibition follow this link
