my story
Hello. I am Bern Bowers AKA Wire Picasso.
Born at a time and place when I believe my own creativity still trumped any toy Santa could deliver, I grew up forging found bits of wire and old soda cans into toys to amuse myself. But I soon realized the possibilities were endless and I could grow friendships just by sharing my creations with my childhood peers who very often found my simple playthings enviable treasures.
In adolescence this boyhood engagement was overtaken by academic pursuits but after graduating from college my innate creative urge drew me once again back to my creative roots - first as a publisher and then as an international art dealer representing a diverse group of artists from Scotland to Brazil.
Over a ten year period, through my gallery ACADEMY, LONDON, I exhibited at over 100 prestigious international art gatherings across the globe. This was a truly amazing time affording me travel and encountering so many diverse peoples who were drawn together in their appreciation of contemporary art.
It was only in 1999 when I entered my own artwork into the SUMMER EXHIBITION at the ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS in London, England, and was one of a handful selected to exhibit out of many thousands of entries that I decided I would give my own artistic hand another go and rediscover my passion for fashioning entanglements of wire into quirky works of art. Gaining many avid collectors worldwide, I decided to attempt making a living from it. I was soon caught up in this exhilarating pursuit and hope, given the strength, and my wonderful and loyal base of collectors that I continue this to my last breathe.
Nothing beats the sheer magic of taking base metal and forging it into something momentous. In a real sense, I aspire to the alchemist's craft: spinning straw into sheaths of gold.