Mark Cowden
Artist Profile by Ross Currie
Artist Profile by Ross Currie
DPAG Society member and working artist
Mark Cowden has had previous experience
in business, advertising and as a
commercial pilot but during these career
stages, his mind kept harking back to work
he saw at the Pompidou Gallery in Paris by
an Israeli artist, Yaacov Agam. Over a
twenty-year period Agam’s work continued
to leave a strong impression on Mark and ended up being a trigger
leading to his current practice. He also admires the late Venezuelan
artist Carlos Cruz-Diez.
Private Saturday morning art classes gave Mark the confidence and
mentoring to launch yet another career; this time as an artist. His work
in advertising also gave him a useful perspective and appreciation of
graphics. Initially Mark had considered a career in photography but the
focus changed to his current multidimensional work. Mark is now
producing art that is unique in Dunedin and the country.
Mark’s work is optical, multi-planed and multi-dimensional depending
on the light and the angle of the viewer; not unlike appreciating and
experiencing sculpture.
The process in creating these works is precise and meticulous. Abstract
digital prints using archival inks are scored accurately and consistently
by a purpose-built machine designed and developed by Mark, then
folded along the scores to become a concertina. The colours are often
primary and the contrast between the colours is seen as important for
the graphic impact. The concertina surface uses colour, tones and shape
to give the viewer alternate angles and experiences. It is not always clear
how a graphic image will behave in a concertina format but Mark is
always analysing why he gets a particular effect and how he can replicate
it. Often a work will take weeks and even months to come to fruition;
where the vision is ‘hatched.’
Looking at a wide range of his work, it is clear there is a large range of
visual treats for the viewer. His work is experiential and can change with
different viewing angles, different intensities of light and distance.
Colours, tones and shapes evolve.
Mark Cowden has had previous experience
in business, advertising and as a
commercial pilot but during these career
stages, his mind kept harking back to work
he saw at the Pompidou Gallery in Paris by
an Israeli artist, Yaacov Agam. Over a
twenty-year period Agam’s work continued
to leave a strong impression on Mark and ended up being a trigger
leading to his current practice. He also admires the late Venezuelan
artist Carlos Cruz-Diez.
Private Saturday morning art classes gave Mark the confidence and
mentoring to launch yet another career; this time as an artist. His work
in advertising also gave him a useful perspective and appreciation of
graphics. Initially Mark had considered a career in photography but the
focus changed to his current multidimensional work. Mark is now
producing art that is unique in Dunedin and the country.
Mark’s work is optical, multi-planed and multi-dimensional depending
on the light and the angle of the viewer; not unlike appreciating and
experiencing sculpture.
The process in creating these works is precise and meticulous. Abstract
digital prints using archival inks are scored accurately and consistently
by a purpose-built machine designed and developed by Mark, then
folded along the scores to become a concertina. The colours are often
primary and the contrast between the colours is seen as important for
the graphic impact. The concertina surface uses colour, tones and shape
to give the viewer alternate angles and experiences. It is not always clear
how a graphic image will behave in a concertina format but Mark is
always analysing why he gets a particular effect and how he can replicate
it. Often a work will take weeks and even months to come to fruition;
where the vision is ‘hatched.’
Looking at a wide range of his work, it is clear there is a large range of
visual treats for the viewer. His work is experiential and can change with
different viewing angles, different intensities of light and distance.
Colours, tones and shapes evolve.
In Dunedin Mark is represented by Gallery de Novo on the corner of
lower Stuart St and Moray Place
lower Stuart St and Moray Place
Above: Mark Cowden, UNCHAINED