Stephen Fowler

stephen-fowler

Senior Lecturer in Illustration

Art & Design Communication

Contact Details

email: s.fowler@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 855287

Stephen Fowler was born in Bristol, grew up in Cornwall, before leaving to study Illustration at Harrow School of Art, and Central Saint Martins in London. After graduating he worked as a freelance editorial Illustrator for newspapers and magazines such as Design Week, Creative Review, Conde Nast, Redwood Publishing, Men's Health, Independent, New Law Journal, Haymarket Publishing, Illustrated Ape, BBC Worldwide Publications, Big Issue, Computer Active, Diesel Style Lab, Dennis Publishing, Time Out and Times Educational Supplement.

For the past 15 years, alternative printmaking, rubber stamping and small press publications, became the focus of Fowler's Authorial Illustration practice. His prints, zines and artist books have been exhibited and held in international collections such as the Tate Gallery, the Victoria & Albert Museum, West Yorkshire Print Workshop, Northern Print Newcastle, Arnolfini Bristol, Minnesota Centre for Book Arts, Malmö Artists Book Biennial and White Columns New York.

His guide to Rubber Stamping published by Lawrence King Publishing is out now.

In 2017 the publication was shortlisted for an award at Association of Illustrators World Illustration Awards.

In 2021 Fowler graduated from the University of the West of England’s Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking MA course with a distinction and the Rebecca Smith Memorial Award.

Fowler teaches internationally, taking his Wildman life drawing and alternative printmaking workshops to; Göra Festival Stockholm, Grafixx Antwerp, Hay Festival, KKV Graffic Malmö, Minnesota Centre for Book Arts, London Centre for Book Arts, PRINTed #5 Barcelona, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, Cecil Sharp House - English Folk Dance and Song Society, Chethams Library Manchester, Loughborough University, Centre for Print Research University of the West of England, Gloucester Printmaking Cooperative, Spike Print Studio, West Yorkshire Print Workshop, San Francisco Centre for the Book and Linnaeus University Sweden.

 

Qualifications

  • 2021 University of the West of England - MA Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking
  • 2013 The Higher Education Academy – Fellow
  • 2013 University for the Creative Arts - PG CERT Learning & Teaching in FE & HE
  • 1995 Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design - PG Cert Illustration
  • 1993 The University of Westminster - BA Hons Illustration

Teaching & Research

Teaching and Research

ILTN1003 Drawing for Illustrators
ILTN1010 Illustration and Printmaking
ILTN2015 Book Arts & Creative Publishing
ILTN3011 Authorial Practice

I teach in a number of other Universities and Art Schools as an associate/visiting lecturer, sharing teaching skills and good practice, including; Bath Spa University, University of the West of England, Brighton University, Kingston University, Oxford Brookes University, Lincoln University, University of the Creative Arts London, Loughborough University, Leicester University, Oxford and Cherwell Valley College and London College of Fashion.

I facilitate public printmaking classes and courses in a variety of open access print studios/workshops in the UK, including: Spike Print Studio, London Centre for Book Arts, West Yorkshire Print Workshop and Gloucestershire Printmaking Co-operative.

Research

My research area is printmaking, drawing and artist books/zines. I am currently exploring hybrid silkscreen, intaglio and relief print. This will involve experimenting with the characteristics of water-based silkscreen printmaking and collagraph Tetra Pak print, making large scale editioned prints.

I am documenting and researching lo-fi printmaking practice, including collagraph, kitchen sink litho, drypoint print with plastic packaging and silkscreen paper stencils, monoprint and reduction print.

Publications

2023

Rubber Stamp Workshop Gloucestershire Printmaking Co-operative.
Tetra Pak Print Workshop West Yorkshire Print Workshop.

 

2022

Tetra Pak Print Workshop KKV Graffic Malmö, Sweden.
Rubber Stamp Workshop Association of Illustrators & Manchester
“Rubbish Printmaking” Conference Paper IMPACT12 Centre for Print Research, University of the West of England.
Tabletop Museum - Curator, and Exhibitor, Art Workers Guild, London.
Rubber Stamp Archive Zine Day; Facilitating a zine workshop at Centre for Print Research, University of the West of England.
Bristol Editions; Artists Book and Print Fair, Centrespace Bristol.
Flourish Award for Excellence in Printmaking (Exhibition) Awarded the Hawthorn Printmaker Prize: West Yorkshire Print Workshop Huddersfield and Northern Print, Newcastle.
Rubber Stamp Ghost Printing, BABE (Bristol Artist Book Event) Bower Ashton, University of the West of England.
Advanced Tetra Pak Printmaking CPD Masterclass, Centre for Print Research, University of the West of England.
Stamp & Send Rubber Stamp Mail Art Online Workshop - San Francisco Centre for the Book
Tetra Pak Print Workshop Spike Print Studio, Bristol.
Rubber Stamp Workshop. London Centre for Book Arts.
Tetra Pak Print Workshop Gloucestershire Printmaking Co-operative.

 

2021

Punkie Nite Publication, cloth patches, workshops and event at Cecil Sharp House. Collaboration with the Golden Thread & University of the Creative Arts.
Jack Davison Photographs Remix Altered/Rubber Stamped publication for photographer J. Davison and publishing house
Café Royal Learning Means the World to Us Rubber Stamp Zine
Fluxus Assembling Box - Artist Multiple
Christmas Printmaking Workshop Workshop Leader, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum
Titanic Poster Printmaking Workshop Workshop Leader, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum
Illustration Research Symposium 11&12 Contributing to Paper on extra circular teaching/clubs.

 

2020

Kiss a Frog’ ReSite - Manual of Scores, Manifestos and Radical Actions. Artist Book
Free Shrugs’ Rubber Stamped multiple
Lick Me’ WIPE - Light-Weight Bookwork Artist Book
Please send us your Octopus’ Rubber Stamp prints and artist book
Wet Nurse & Childcare or B(r)east is Best’ Rubber Stamp editioned print
Postcards for Perec Contribution to World Book Night Publication, University of the West of England
Sea-Change Mail Art Project University of Worcester
Tetra Pak Printmaking Workshop. Faculty Print (collaboration between Centre of Gravity and Tim Knowles) Gardiner Haskins department store.
Tetra Pak Print Instructions. Pressing Matters Magazine
‘How to Make a Sea Serpent Folk Beasts Project commissioned by Golden Thread Project and HART CLUB.
Evan Parker Quartet – All Knavery and Collusion. Album Cover Art Commission from Cadillac Recordings
‘Legacies and the things we leave behind’, Scouting Magazine. Rubber Stamp Illustration Commission.
‘Monsters Are Here Forever’ Picasso Gagilone and Darling Darlene Rubber Stamp Museum show and catalogue – Knoxville Tennessee
Rubber Stamp Workshop Stirchley Art Room – Birmingham.
Mini BABE Workshop – Arnolfini, Bristol
‘Rubbish Printmaking’ My Print Practice Talk – London Craft Week, Art Workers' Guild, Bloomsbury.

 

2019

Rubber Stamp Archive Zine Day; Facilitating a zine workshop for UWE Multidisciplinary Printmaking MA artist book club, using my vintage rubber stamp archive.
Sea Creatures Print Workshop World Ocean Day: Maritime Museum Greenwich, London
'Rubber Stamps’, Café Royal Books; Limited edition box with a 32pp zine, handmade prints and badges created during a residency at the Minnesota Centre for Book Arts, Scott Helmes and Picasso Gaglione Stamp Archive.
Aquarium Workshop; All ages community workshop aiming to create a ‘balanced self-sustaining aquarium’ with neoprene foam and pre-cut rubber stamps. Art House, University of Worcester. Inspired from research into the Marine Biologist, Philip Henry Gosse.
Rubber Stamp Temporary Tattoo; Bespoke graphic for the English Department at Southampton University for prospective applicants to the department, on the theme of Hamlet.
PRINTed #5 Espai Barra de Ferro, Barra de Ferro 2, 08003 Barcelona; Rubber Stamp Workshop for the public and Vis Com students for the international artist book fair PRINTed.

 

2018
Tabletop Museum - Curator, and Exhibitor, Art Workers Guild, London
KKV Rubber Stamp Workshop KKV Graffic Malmö, Sweden
Eek and Damnation Zine Publication, Bristol
Play with Print/Big Draw Workshop Leader, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum
Ice Age Print Making Day Workshop Leader, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum
Wildman Life Drawing Workshop Leader, Ashridge Field School, Devon
Encounters with Books / Encuentro con libros Contributor to Artist Book Publication, IMPACT 10 Printmaking Conference, Santander, Spain
Rubber Stamp Broadside Ballads Workshop Leader, Master Class, U.W.E, Bristol
Murri Celebrates the Golden Thread Workshop Leader, Event Organiser, & D.J Cecil Sharp House, London
Character Workshop Workshop Leader/Collaborator, Worcester University & Hay Festival
Illustration Hot-Desk Performance, Hay Festival
M.A.B.B. Malmö Artists Book Biennial Passport Office Performance, Malmö, Sweden
Bound to Bristol Exhibitor, Artist Book Exhibition, U.W.E (University of the West of England), Bristol
The Golden Thread - Exhibition, Performance & Publication, Cecil Sharp House, London
32nd Annual Miniature Print Exhibition Arnolfini, Bristol
Stamped Limited Edition Rubber Stamp Book, M.C.B.A, Bristol & Minnesota, USA
Jacksons Art Supplies, Interview/ Article

2017
GÖRA! -
Exhibitor & Workshop Leader, Workshop Festival, Stockholm, Sweden
Grafixx - Exhibitor & Workshop Leader, Graphics & Illustration Festival, Antwerp, Belgium
The Ballad of Chetham's Library: Music and Printing workshop, Manchester
All Inked Up Artist Book Symposium Keynote Speaker, Exhibitor and Workshop Leader
Table Top Museum Curator, and Exhibitor, Art Workers Guild, London
& So- An exhibition of artists books & multiples from the collections of The Centre for the Artist Book, grahame galleries + editions and Queensland College of Art, Queensland College of Art Library, Brisbane, Australia
'For & Against, Art, Politics and the Pamphlet Symposium Performance, and Workshop collaborator with Little Riot Press, Loughborough University
'Rubber Stamps' -
Publication - Café Royal Books
Artist In Residence - The H/G Rubber Stamp Archive, Minnesota Centre for Book Arts, Minnesota
Association of Illustrators World Illustration Award
Shortlisted, book category
Rubber Stamp Passport Office - Exhibition & Performance, B.A.B.E Arnolfini, Bristol
Hatched - Exhibition, The Hive, Worcester
Bookishness - World Book Night Publication, Workshop Leader, Artist Trip to Loch Ness, Print Research Centre, University of the West of England
Future Legacies: Collections, Collecting and Artists Books Exhibition & Catalogue Publication, The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, University of Leeds
31st Annual Miniature Print Exhibition, Arnolfini Gallery Bristol
Craft Stamper Article, Pocket Magazines
BRRMag Interview/Article, Zine

2016
International Day Of Human Rights Stamping
Rubber Stamp Workshop Leader Book Arts Bookshop, London
'Rubber Stamping, Get Creative with Stamps, Rollers and other Printing Techniques' Laurence King Publishing
Rubber Stamp Book Launch - Workshop Leader, Publication and Performance, Art Workers Guild, London
Rubber Stamp Book Launch - Workshop Leader, Arnolfini, Bristol
BBC Radio Bristol - Interview with Steve Yabsley
BBC Bristol Radio Interview with Emily Chiswell
Let's Get Stamping ! - Article Interview, Creative Review
Book Arts Newsletter Review and Article
Printmaking Today - Interview & Article
It's Alive ! -
Exhibition, Minnesota Centre for Book Arts, Minnesota
Set In Stone - Exhibition, Tobacco Factory, Bristol
Serena Joy -World Book Night Publication, Print Research Centre, University of the West of England
2016-17 The Artist Book Year Book Publication, Impact Press, Centre for Fine Print Research, University of the West of England
The Craft of Medicine Exhibitor, Welcome Collection, London

2015
Table Top Museum
Exhibition Curator, Art Workers Guild, London
BABE 2015 Bristol Artists Book Event Performance, Arnolfini, Bristol

2014
Café Royal Books: Index
Publication, Café Royal Books
RUKSSIAN Artists Books Exhibition, Pavel Kuznetsov Museum, Saratov
Cosmic Forces Publication, Artist Book

2013
Wildman Life Drawing & Bigfoot Printing - Performance & Workshop, Curiosity: Art and the Pleasure of Knowing, Turner Contemporary, Margate
BABE 2013 Bristol Artists Book Event- Exhibitor & Performance, Arnolfini, Bristol
VOLUME: Birmingham's Art Book & Print Fair - Exhibitor & Performance, Birmingham Library
Jiggling Atoms Exhibition, Royal Festival Hall, London

2012
Wildman Life Drawing Performance & Workshop, Supersonic Festival, Birmingham
Wildman Life Drawing - Performance & Workshop, Wide Open School, Hayward Gallery, London
2012-13 The Artist's Book Yearbook Impact Press, Centre for Fine Print Research, University of the West of England
Jiggling Atoms Exhibition, Rag Factory, London
Glasgow International Artist Bookfair Exhibitor, Glasgow

2011
The Strawberry Thief Exhibition, The Fine Arts Society, London
Ministry of Frogs
Black & White Exhibition, Peacock Visual Arts/Multiplied, Freeze, London
White Heat Publication, Artist Book
Fraternize - Exhibition, Beaconsfield, London

2010
Home Made Record Sleeve Collection Exhibition, Bulletin Board, White Columns, New York
White Heat Kalied Editions, London
Flat Work Flat Earth Publication, Artist Book

2009
Rob Pruitt's Flea Market Exhibition, Tate Modern
Varoom Magazine - Interview
Follow-ed Touring Exhibition New Wave: artists publishing in the 21st Century - Impact Printmaking Conference U.W.E, Bristol
Homemade Record Sleeves Exhibition. Franklin Alvarez, London
Homemade Record Sleeves Volume 3 Publication, Artist Book

External Responsibilities

I am an associate and sessional BA (Hons) and MA Illustration lecturer for the following Universities and Colleges; Kingston University, and University of the Creative Arts Farnham and Canterbury, Oxford Brookes University, Lincoln University, University of the Creative Arts London - Camberwell College of Art, Loughborough University, Leicester University, Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, University of the West of England and London College of Fashion.

I run Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses in Printmaking during the Summer months at the University of the West of England.

I teach workshops in secondary schools such as; Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School, Canterbury, St Katharine School, Bristol and Putney High School, London.

I regularly run experiential workshops in Primitive Printmaking and Drawing in institutions such as the Victorian & Albert Museum, Whitechapel Art Gallery, Birmingham Library, the Wallace Collection, Hayward Gallery and Margate’s Turner Contemporary gallery.