KITRI Spotlight: Scarlett Bowman

#KITRIspotlight
Meet our creative, intelligent and simply brilliant friends who inspire KITRI in every single way. 

Meet Scarlett Bowman, KITRI girl, visual artist and founder of Projects on Walls, a fine art sourcing, curation and advisory platform, set up to bridge the gap between the worlds of art and interior design and to give emerging artists a platform for their work. A talented artist in her own right, Scarlett has exhibited around the world, successfully turning her passion for art into a career. We sat down with Scarlett in her London studio to talk about her journey so far.

We'd love to know more about your career path so far...
My first job was working for Lazarides Gallery in Soho where I co-managed their print gallery ‘The Outsiders’. I was fresh out of university and dived straight into a contemporary gallery where much of what I learnt was on the job! It was a great insight into the fundamentals of the gallery system, from putting on monthly exhibitions to artist liaison, sales, PR and off-site events. After this I actually went on to do something wildly different – I got a part on a regular TV show filming in Liverpool, so I moved up there for the next two years! It was here that my passion for art was confirmed and I returned to London and enrolled straight into London’s Chelsea School of Art for my Masters in Fine Art.

Did you always know that you wanted to be an artist and curator?
I had a strong passion for art from a really young age. I was obsessed with the process of making and I guess that passion has led me to where I am now. I never actively decided to be an artist - it sort of chose me!
For Projects on Walls, I source and curate art for other people, which was also born out of a love for art in all its forms. Many of my contemporaries are very talented artists, often without gallery representation, so I wanted to provide a different sort of platform to get their work out into the world.

We’re always inspired by women that turn their passions into a successful businesses. What are your top tips for women who want a career in art?
I’d say try get as much experience as possible in all the various sectors of the art world before you choose what direction you wish to go in. There’s so many networking events and all sorts of opportunities to meet people and pick their brains on their experience. Before I became an artist myself and long before Projects on Walls was born, I probably had about 4 different jobs so was able to work out what my skills and interests were and direct them accordingly!


Left: Untitled Fragment; Right: Domestic Bliss Fragment

What’s the biggest challenge you have faced since launching your own company, Projects on Walls? 

I’d say juggling my time as I technically have two jobs, which are equally time consuming and each requires a different hat so to speak. Each day brings a new challenge so it’s a constant learning curve, especially when you are the decision maker. I do think it’s the best way to learn - jumping in at the deep end and figuring out what works and what doesn’t as you go along!

You specialise in sourcing new and emerging artists and their works. For anyone looking to start an art collection on a smaller budget, where would you recommend they start? 
I would start with the graduate art fairs, which are coming up just before the summer. It’s a great opportunity to see all the work produced over the years on both the BA and MA Fine Art courses at all the top London art schools. You will be able to meet the artists and ask them directly about their work as opposed to going through a gallery.

Who inspires you? 
My friends, and people striving to do their own thing in a world which doesn’t make it easy.


What does your typical day look like?
Each day is totally different. At the moment I am preparing for two exhibitions so I’m in the studio making work most of the time. I also have three live projects that I’m sourcing for with Projects on Walls, which requires visiting various artists in their studios to see what work they have produced and at the same time running our gallery at Edition 94!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Fortune favours the brave.

How would you describe your style?
I really dress to my mood, so it all depends on how I’m feeling when I wake up! I’m a sucker for denim and could happily live in jeans most days. I’d say I dress more for comfort than anything else.

We love to see you wearing KITRI. Why did you choose these pieces?
I loveeee the clashing mix of patterns in this season’s collection. So playful and easy to wear with anything from boots to sneaks! I also love something that can be worn day to night and this collection is perfect for that.

Gabriella Spot Print Pleated Dress, Reid Vinyl Jacket, Lois Floral Print Flared Skirt, Lotta Blue Check Shirt Dress, Rodeo Cotton T-shirt, Phoebe Polka Dot Roll Neck Jumper

Finally, what’s next?
I have two exhibitions opening next month, on the14th March – ‘A Room Of One’s Own’ at The Koppel Project in Soho. I’m also involved in Platform Presents at The Affordable Art Fair, opening on the 6th March. After this I will be installing and curating work at Christie’s Education from May with Projects on Walls.

@scarlett__bowman
@projectsonwalls
www.projectsonwalls.com

Photos by Annie Noble