LARA BOWEN
SHADOW PRINTS
Playing with the effects of bright light and shadows against pigments and surface
I have long been captivated by shadows - the way they strip away all texture and color from the object casting them, leaving behind only a pure, abstracted silhouette. In this reduction, shadows take on the characteristics of the surface they fall upon, merging the shadow-maker with its surroundings in a way that feels both fleeting and permanent.
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I often find myself tracing the shifting patterns of shadows cast by leaves or observing the slivers of light that filter between objects. What fascinates me most is how rapidly these shapes evolve, as if the sun itself is in a constant state of motion, altering the composition I am tracing in real time. It’s a reminder of the transient nature of everything, including the artistic process.
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This series began serendipitously while photographing my paintings in the garden. I was struck by how beautifully the shadows of nearby plants danced across the surface of my work. Intrigued, I captured the interplay of light and shadow on camera and was excited by the way the bright UV light subtly altered the pigments in the paint when seen through the lens.
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What began as a moment of spontaneous inspiration has since grown into an ongoing project. The resulting images have become a collection of original limited edition prints. Some of these prints will be further developed—painted onto or layered with other media -as I continue to experiment with the relationship between shadow, light, and surface.
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This exploration of shadow is a way for me to play with the balance between presence and absence, form and formlessness, and the constant shift of perception that light brings. It’s a project rooted in curiosity, and one that continues to evolve with each new discovery.
