I often find it inaccurate to call Deborah Bowness’ work ‘wallpaper’. They do not seal the entire interior, conjure a certain mood, provoke an emotion, nor asking for a life-time commitment. Bowness’ work is contented, quietly inhabit on a surface in its visual variations to create a ‘scene’. It could be an outfit, a floor lamp, a mirror, or even flower and birds, all lively and vivid. A closer look reveals that the images of these prints are in fact jig sawed together, with raw edges around each ‘jig saw’. It is an authentic aesthetic that is perfect with the aged paper texture.

Bowness started creating her ‘wallpaper’ since 1999. Having studied graphic and texture design for six years by the time she launched her label, Bowness turned to paper as her media because it is her means to bring art into people’s homes. Printed with the photography image by Bowness, all colour parts are hand painted by the designer herself. The objects as featured in the images are belongings of hers, understated decoration from her friends’ or eclectic items from flea markets. ‘Car-boot sales and second hand shop are great for found items. I can’t help but go into the shops every time I go by. Even if I am driving — I have to go in even if I have to make an effort to park my car.’

Taking inspiration from found objects, Bowness is also a collector. ‘I go through different phases for collecting objects. I am collecting souvenir clogs at the moment.’ Bowness launched the latest ‘Vase’ series at ‘100% Design London’, a series based on her early vase collection.

Text: Ron Lam | Translation: dilettante
Photo: Fong Siu Pong
Update: 28 Nov 2008

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