Sanah Brown-Bowers is a self-taught artist with a profound focus on portraying the Black American experience, primarily through captivating portraits. Central to her artistic narrative is the exploration of Black joy and nostalgic moments from the 80s, skillfully weaving together elements of pop art, fantasy, and her imaginative spirit. Her acrylic and oil paintings, characterized by intricate details, find a unique presentation in family altars she meticulously constructs. These altars, functioning as shadowboxes, incorporate found artifacts related to her subjects, creating a rich contextual tapestry.
In her artistic endeavors, Sanah pays homage to her nuclear family, using symbolism to convey stories that transcend time. She aims to shed light on the impact of historical injustices, notably the stripping away of identity through enslavement, seeking to restore hope and affirm the overlooked history of her community.
Sanah Brown-Bowers' artistic prowess has garnered recognition through various awards and honors, including 1st place in the McKinney Black History Art Competition in February 2022, a scholarship from the Priscilla Art Club of Dallas, and the prestigious Best of Show at the Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum in Fort Worth, TX. In 2020, she earned the privilege of a solo show at the Bert Long Jr. Gallery at the Houston Museum of African American Culture.
Beyond her individual artistic pursuits, Sanah collaborates with her husband, Reginal Bowers, in operating a mural company. Their recent completion of a Ray Charles mural for the Blues Alley project in Deep Ellum, Texas stands as a testament to their commitment to honoring musicians through public art.
Originally from Queens, New York, Sanah Brown-Bowers has called Fort Worth, Texas, home for the past two decades. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the University of North Texas and is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland.
My artistic odyssey commenced over 15 years ago, a journey born from my profound fascination with portrait photography and realistic artwork. The genesis of this passion found its nurturing ground within the hallowed confines of the photography section at Barnes and Noble. It was there that I found solace and inspiration, immersing myself in the captivating works of visionaries like Gordon Parks and Cindy Sherman.
Early on, my artistic inclination naturally led me towards the convergence of photography and painting. Colors, patterns, and fabric designs became not just elements but integral facets of my creative process, often forming the bedrock and canvas for my evolving portrait ideas.
Family became my initial and enduring subject, with a particular focus on portraying the unfolding tapestry of my daughter's journey from childhood to adulthood. As time progressed, the scope of my artistic lens expanded to encompass the diverse narratives of my close family members. The collective stories, I realized, were threads intricately woven into the broader fabric of familial and cultural history, echoing back through millennia.
The trajectory of my artistic practice has been one of evolution, embracing a multitude of mediums ranging from acrylic, oil, and spray paints to mixed media, paper collage, typography, assemblage art, LED lighting, film, video, and sound. These diverse elements coalesce into what I term "family altars"—immersive sanctuaries designed to prompt contemplation and reflection in the viewer.
The altars, symbolic spaces of ancestral remembrance and honor, embody my steadfast belief in the significance of every individual story. Text, whether presented subtly in poetry or boldly in handwritten quotes, serves as a narrative thread that invites viewers to delve into their own reservoirs of childhood memories.
Beyond the personal narrative, my work emerges as a poignant conversation with Black history. Positioned as a portal, my art seeks to transcend the visual, inviting viewers to encounter not only the artist but also a transformative experience. The infusion of vibrant colors, harmonized with sensory elements like text, song, smell, sight, and vibration, serves a dual purpose—to evoke joy and uplift the soul.
In a deliberate departure from stereotypical depictions of African Americans mired in political or historical contexts, my artistic endeavor strives to showcase an alternative narrative—one steeped in Black joy, empowerment, unity, and the profound respect accorded to elders. Through my paintings, I aspire to infuse hope and foster a sense of togetherness within communities.
This ongoing artistic odyssey is a testament to my commitment to exploring and portraying the multifaceted dimensions of the Black experience. My work stands not only as a personal expression but also as an invitation for viewers to engage with the artist, delve into shared stories, and depart with a renewed sense of joy and connection.
Education
2022 -Present, MFA, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore MD
2018 -2022, BFA, Drawing & Painting/Sculpture University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Solo Exhibitions
2023, Touchstone Gallery, Washington, DC
MICA Lazarus Gallery, Baltimore MD
2022, Gallery Guichard, Meraki, Chicago IL
2020, HMAAC, Unbreakable, Houston TX
2016, JL Turner Legal Association, Judge and Lawyer Tribute commissions, Dallas TX
2015, Brennan John Summit, I Am Me, Dallas TX
2014, Mesquite Arts Center, LockArts, Mesquite TX
WOCA Art Gallery, Transparency, Fort Worth TX
2012, Bridal Shows Inc., Salvation Thru Art, Dallas, TX
Group Exhibitions
2024, Banneker-Douglas Museum, Annapolis MD
Katzen Art Center, American University, Washington DC
2023, Honfleur Gallery, Interlocked , Washington DC
Providence Art Club, Edward Bannister Exhibit, Providence RI
Halcyon Art Center, Just Another Day, Washington DC
CPM Gallery, Let the Right One In, Baltimore MD
2022, Tarrant County College, TCC Black is Black Art Show, Fort Worth TX
Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum, Black History Competition, Fort Worth,TX
McKinney Center, Black History Art Competition, McKinney, TX
2021, Paul Voertman Gallery, Senior Show, University of North Texas, Denton,TX
500X Gallery, Holding Space, 500X Gallery, Dallas TX
2020, Irving Black Arts Council, Black History Art Show, Irving,TX
2019, Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum, Black Migrations, Fort Worth,TX
Capital One, Converging Transparencies, Plano TX
Tarrant County Community College, Juneteenth Art Competition, Fort Worth,TX
2018, Jeanette Kennedy Gallery, Melanin Poppin, Dallas,TX
2017, The Women’s Museum, Vignette Art Fair, Dallas, TX
Texarkana Art Center, TRAHC Regional Art Competition, Texarkana,TX
South Dallas Cultural Center, BLKART214, Dallas,TX
2014, Faith Bible Church, Universal Art Show, Dallas,TX
2012, Faith Bible Church, Discard & Reclaim, Desoto,TX
Medical City, Texas Visual Arts Association Show, Dallas, TX
2011, Lovers Lane Church, Atmosphere Changers, Dallas, TX
Plano Family Art Center, Citation Show, Plano, TX
Murals
2022, HMAAC - Raising Kings Mural, Houston TX
2021, Deep Ellum Foundation - Blues Alley, Ray Charles, Dallas TX
City of Irving, Historic Mural Georgia Farrow Recreation Center, Irving,TX
2020, Art of Digital Influence, Dallas,TX
2018, Dallas Multi Purpose Center, Dallas,TX
Skyline Branch Library, Dallas,TX
Get Fried, Dallas,TX
2017, Chills 360, Fort Worth,TX
Matador Insurance Co. Fort Worth,TX
Desoto High School, Desoto,TX
W.W. Bushman Elementary, Dallas,TX
You Are Royalty, 42 Murals, Dallas, TX
2016, JL Turner Legal Association, Dallas,TX
2015, Mega Zee, 42 Murals, Dallas,TX
Lectures, Presentations, Workshops
2024 Touchstone Gallery Artist talk
2023 John Hopkins University Artist talk
MICA Artist Talk
2022, TCC Artist Talk, Fort Worth, TX
2022, Art Camp, Big Thought. Dallas,TX
2019, Art Camp, Big Thought. Dallas,TX
2014, Faith & Art Panel with Sedrick Huckaby WOCA Art Gallery, Fort Worth, TX
“Kidpreneur Expo” St. Phillips Academy. Dallas,TX
“Uplift” Concord Church. Dallas,TX
“Live Painting” The Church at Rush Creek. Arlington,TX
Residencies
2017, Mr. Cooper Artist in Residence, Articulation, Irving TX
Awards & Scholarships
2023 MICA Grant recipient
Providence Art Club, Edward Bannister Exhibit, Providence RI , Best of Show Award
Infinity Collective Grant recipient
2022, Best of Show, Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum. Fort Worth,TX
1st place, McKinney Black History Art Competition
Scholarship, Priscilla Art Club of Dallas, Dallas TX
2019, Best Of Show “Black Migrations” Lenora Rolla Heritage Museum. Fort Worth,TX
1st place/Scholarship “Juneteenth Art Competition” TCC College, Fort Worth,TX
2017, 2nd Place, TRAHC Regional Arts Competition. Texarkana,TX
2nd Place, BLKART214 South Dallas Cultural Center. Dallas,TX
Publications
2024, The Washington Post Arts, Bloodlines Show, Washington,DC
2023, BMORE Art, Let the Right One In
Baltimore Beat, Let the Right One In, Teri Henderson
Baltimore Fishbowl, Let the Right one In, Haley Tilt
2022, Art on the Air, Lakeshore Public Radio [August 5, 2022]
Visible Magazine, The Winner is: Art Club Black Artists (May 10,2022)
Roamingtheus.com, Dallas Murals [April 21,2022]
Dallas Observer, Deep Ellum Blues Alley Project (Feb 24,2022)
2021, Ujima Magazine [November 15, 2021]
2018, W.W. Bushman Elementary, Indwells, Dallas,TX (Aug 21,2018)
2017, I Am Royalty, MuralThe Dallas Morning News. Dallas,TX (Mar 15, 2017)
TRAHC Art Show, Texarkana Gazette. Texarkana,TX [October 24, 2017]
2016, 42 Murals Project, The Dallas Morning News Dallas,TX [August 9,2016]
Scenes from the Sidewalk [May 25,2016]
2015, Gods Gifted Hands, Southern Dallas Business Magazine. Dallas,TX [June 12,2015]
2014, Artist Portfolio Magazine [March 26,2014]