Website:
http://www.milton510.com
Biography:
Milton Bowens, born and raised in Oakland, CA, is the 5th son and 10th child of his family, which makes for his unique artistic signature Milton 510. His work, which takes inspiration from Artistic Masters, American, World and Black History, bringing to the foreground issues of perseverance, pride, perspective, and affect. Milton 510’s work has been exhibited, represented, showcased and widely collected locally, nationally and internationally. From fall 2009 to 2012, Milton 510’s “Afro Classical” collection, an anthology of paintings depicting the importance of Jazz, Art and Words during the heyday of The Harlem Renaissance Era was used as part of the course study on “The Harlem Renaissance”, in the Africana Studies and Research Center of Cornell University.
In 2011 Milton 510 received a resolution from the California Legislative Black Caucus for his work on arts and education in the public schools. He is an Artistic License Award recipient, given by the California Lawyers for the Arts in 2013 he was the St. Hope Public Schools Beacon of Hope Award Recipient.
His work has been reviewed in numerous publications, including, The Sacramento Bee, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The Los Angeles Times as well as featured in Transition Magazine Issue 122, published by Harvard University. Milton’s work within the educational system includes lecturing at over two dozen universities and college campuses, serving as artist in residence in several Northern California school districts. Milton strongly believes his art can, “educate as well as decorate”.
Artist Statement:
In My humble opinion, Eye believe it is not the responsibility of Art History to influence the individual Artist although it may do so, but merely to Inspire.
Eye maintain that it is up to the individual Artist in his or her own way to Impact and ultimately Influence Art History, and by doing so create works that will endure, inspire and educate as well as decorate.
Storytelling is essential to my artistic practice, as evidenced by use of incorporating text and historical images; historically stereotypical images, Civil Rights and Black Power Icons, contemporary hip hop songs, as well as pop culture references. Using a visual inspirational approach derived from the Pop Art Masters, Andy Warhol and Jean Michel Basquiat. Color rich and textured backgrounds are embellished with vintage printed passages, found objects, handmade papers and magazine clippings, engaging the viewer on multiple levels at the same time and hopefully spurring an interest in the works narrative subject and creating a curiosity to examine the information embedded within the work.
This collection of paintings focuses on the interplay between past and present, time, place and truth, between joy and pain. This collection examines the legacy and importance of maintaining faith, hope and self-esteem for African Americans through the use of ingenuity during tough times, while understanding the immense value of controlling the cultural narratives of our own stories and experiences. Each subject is truncated; the abbreviated depictions focuses on intangible snapshots and pivotal moments within and related to our culture and history.
The works may seem simple, but they convey a mature artistic gesture: artistically reaching, stretching and pulling the viewer into a much deeper fine art Americana experience. Encouraging the viewer to navigate and walk with me down memory lane, EYE encourage you as you view my work to not just See a Word or the Stories, but to remain Open Minded, Reminisce, Think, Learn and don’t just Hear what the paintings are Saying but to Listen
