About heather
Heather Bowring
Heather developed a new style of tactile relief work paintings that are meant to be touched.
Her large collections have enabled her to invite into the art arena the previously excluded audience of blind and visually impaired visitors, so they too can share the experience.
Based at her studio at Emsworth, near Portsmouth in Hampshire, Heather began painting sixteen years ago. Her work encompasses a wide range of styles, including miniatures, portraits, and contemporary pieces.
This was followed by a commission from the Mary Rose Museum to make a copy of a 16th century painting of the Mary Rose. It resulted in a commission from the Jersey Government to use that same image for a £5 commemorative coin.
Commissions also came from the Wordsworth Museum in Cumbria and two Crematoria. Her work is in Altnagelvin Hospital in Northern Ireland and the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey. An exhibition held at the hospital was sponsored by Spec Savers and Condor Ferries.
Her latest collection of Tactile Portraits with individual audio descriptions launched World Sight day at Moorfield Eye Hospital, London and has had six solo exhibitions in the UK, with interest now from the USA.
Heather’s career work has been featured in numerous media outlets including a major Sunday supplement feature about women who turn their lives around. She has been a regular contributor to BBC Radio Solent. She gives talks to community groups and organisations and is a regular guest speaker on board cruise ships.
In addition to her tactile paintings, Heather now creates sculptures working with wood, plaster, leather and gold leaf.
Her first novel, The Painting in Room 48, was launched at the end of January 2020, published by Amazon.
Commissions
Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth.
Wordsworth Museum, Cumbria
Braintree Crematorium
East Devon Crematorium
£5 Commemorative coin of the Mary Rose
Collections
Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Guernsey
Downe Hospital, Northern Ireland
Tangmere Air Museum
Moorfield Eye Hospital, London
Exhibitions and Events
2020
Writing Residency, Cove Park, Scotland (Postponed)
Falmouth Museum and Art Gallery. Summer Exhibition (Postponed)
Author ‘The PAINTING IN ROOM 48’
2018
Artist Residency, Brison Veor, Cornwall
Three Rivers Gallery. Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Solo Exhibition, ‘I am not who you think I am’
2017
St Huberts Art Exhibition, Idsworth, Hants
Artist Residency, The Island of Iona, Scotland
Allen Gallery, Alton, Hants. Solo Exhibition. ‘ I am not who you think I am’
2016
Artist Residency Cove Park, Scotland
Guest Speaker. Fred Olsen Cruise Ship. Around the UK
River House Barn Arts Centre. Walton-on -Thames. Solo exhibition ‘I am not who you think I am’
2014
Moorfield Eye Hospital. Solo exhibition, ‘I am not who you think I am’ – Launched World Sight Day
Havant Arts Centre. Solo exhibition ‘I am not who you think I am’
Hereford Museum and Art Gallery. Solo Exhibition, ‘I am not who you think I am’
2013
Guest Speaker on Fred Olsen Cruise ship, Baltic
2012
Pallant House. Chichester. Outside In, National exhibition, participant
Wordsworth Museum. ‘Words on a Page ’ Conference presentation
Guest Speaker on Fred Olsen Cruise ship Spain and Portugal
2011
Glasgow – Helen Keller International award exhibition
2010
London – V&A Museum, St Dunstan’s Conference, to exhibit paintings
2009
London – V&A Museum, St Dunstan’s Colorado, Denver. ‘Close your eyes, Open your mind’ exhibition
New York – Metropolitan Museum of Art – Art and Beyond Conference, to exhibit paintings
Glasgow – Helen Keller International Exhibition Conference, to exhibit paintings
Colorado, Denver USA – ‘Close your Eyes. Open you Mind’ Exhibition
2008
Llandudno – Oriel Mostyn Gallery
2007
Chichester University – Tactile Exhibition
Glasgow – Helen Keller International Exhibition
2006
London – Regeneration Exhibition, County Hall, London
Guernsey – Solo exhibition – Princess Elizabeth Hospital. (Sponsored by Spec Savers)
Salisbury – Solo exhibition – Salisbury Library and Galleries, Wiltshire
2005
Chichester – Stride Open, exhibition, (Highly commended)
Chichester – Solo exhibition – Chichester Oxmarket Centre of Arts
Education and History
1999-2001
National Diploma, Embroidery and Textile Design
1992
B.TECH National Diploma – practical and theoretical course in woodcarving, gilding, specialist painting, plasterwork, interior restoration and interior design.
Practical experience included restoration of The Court House, Ashville, North Carolina, USA
1995 – 2004
Kruger Interior Design Company –
I established this interior design company in 1995 and executed commissions for designing, redecorating and refurbishing properties, including contemporary and period houses, offices, shops, and a sports clubhouse.
1996-1997
Lecturer at Chichester College of Art and Technology History of Art, Design and Interiors. Specialist in Painting.
1994-1995
Lecturer 1994-5 University of Portsmouth
B.Tech Restoration and Decoration.