top of page

Michelle Bowen
Artist Statement

​

My work is driven by a deep examination of the human-made systems that shape our understanding of the world—systems that often fail to reflect the fullness, complexity, and interconnectedness of life. Across installations, film, sound, painting, and project-based experiments, I investigate the limitations and pitfalls of constructs such as nationalism, language, cultural boundaries, and other frameworks that claim to define identity and truth.

​

At the core of my practice is the belief that these constructs—though powerful—are ultimately incomplete. They distort communication, reinforce division, and obscure the innate wisdom and intuition we carry as individuals and as a global collective. My projects seek to reveal where these systems fracture, where they mislead, and where they prevent us from seeing ourselves and others clearly.

​

I pursue an art-making approach that is intentionally fluid. I do not commit to a single medium, aesthetic, or mode of presentation. Instead, each idea determines the form it requires. Whether through the coded visual language of the Huelitic Code series, immersive film and sound experiences, or socially engaged installations, I respond to the conceptual needs of the project rather than the expectations of any one genre. This flexibility is essential to my practice; it mirrors the adaptability and openness I believe humanity must cultivate.

​

My work aims to encourage a shift in perspective—away from rigid categories and inherited narratives, and toward a more intuitive, expansive, and global awareness. I seek to create spaces where viewers can recognize their connection not only to one another but also to animals, plants, land, and the broader environment that sustains us. By challenging the constructs that divide us, I hope to illuminate the blessings inherent in our shared existence.

​

Ultimately, my practice is a call to imagine what is possible when we loosen the grip of limiting structures and embrace a more unified, peaceful, and compassionate world community.

Group exhibition entitled "The Other Virus," featuring: "Real and Fake Inside News" and "Untitled Religious Passage #5"

344 Gallery/Second Street Studio, Troy, NY
Click HERE to read a news article about this exhibition.

National Juried exhibition video Michelle Bowen.jpg

Michelle Bowen talks about her work and the selected pieces featured in the national 85th Annual Juried Art Exhibition in Cooperstown, NY.

©2026 by Michelle Bowen

 

Follow on Instagram

bottom of page