Michael Rowe

Michael Rowe is widely recognised to be a metalsmith of international importance. As a result of his research activity he co-authored the seminal work ‘The Colouring, Bronzing and Patination of Metals’ (first published 1982), which has since had a far-reaching impact on the creative possibilities of work in metal.

Rowe‘s precise, perfectly proportioned vessels have a strong, dramatic presence. They simultaneously contain references to highly precious ceremonial vessels and, in their pared down simplicity, to more commonplace metal artefacts. Different surface treatments such as tinning or applied gold leaf are used to integrate the sculptural qualities of light and shadow and to define the formal characteristics of a work.

Born in 1948, Rowe trained at the Royal College of Art, London where he is now Senior Tutor. His work is found in public collections world-wide that include the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; the Victoria & Albert Museum, London and Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris.

publications

Please click Publications for a list of illustrated exhibition leaflets and other related literature available from Barrett Marsden Gallery

email: info@bmgallery.co.uk

link to collections

National Electronic & Video Archive of the Crafts
The Silver Trust, London
Crafts Council Collection, London