Nina Mae Fowler

Education

Fowler grew up in London and attended South Hampstead High School before attending the University of Brighton, where she graduated in Sculpture in 2003.

Life and career

In her early 20's she worked as an archivist to the founder of Indica Gallery, John Dunbar. She has been nominated for the BP Portrait Award for her painting of the ballet dancer Carlos Acosta, as well as reaching the shortlist for the Jerwood Drawing Prize in 2010 and 2015. In 2012 the University of Oxford commissioned her to depict Professor Richard Dawkins. The portrait was used by Dawkins in his book An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist.

Speaking about her work Fowler said "Deep psychological conflict, the turbulent mix of early black and white Hollywood glamour and its attendant dark side are the focus of my work. Using imagery appropriated from films and the day-to-day lives of celebrated icons such as Elvis; Marlene Dietrich and Jean Harlow, as well as unknown figures drowned in the wake of Hollywood's dream machine".

In 2015, a monograph of her works to date titled 'Nina Mae Fowler: Measuring Elvis' was published by The Cob Gallery. The book features essays offering various interpretations of Fowler's work. Contributors include, former Director of London's, National Portrait Gallery, Sandy Nairne, Sienna Miller, playwright Polly Stenham and counterculture historian Barry Miles.

Fowler's work is collected by prominent figures such as John Maybury, Jude Law, Sharleen Spiteri and Caroline Issa.

Personal life

Fowler lives in Norfolk with her husband, the painter and BP Portrait Award winner Craig Wylie. The couple have one son.

Notable exhibitions