I’ve been following Tim Fowler’s work for around 15 years.
The first time I came across his artwork, it was his skull pieces that immediately caught my attention. Many artists have explored the motif of skulls over the years — especially within street art — to the point where it can feel overdone. But Tim’s interpretation always stood out. His distinctive colour palette and expressive style made the familiar feel fresh and original.
Ever since then, I’ve been captivated by his work.
Early Influences and First Meeting
About four years ago, I had the chance to meet Tim for the first time and visit his Leicester-based studio.
At the time, his studio was housed in a converted factory shared with other creatives — a space full of energy and inspiration. Seeing his workspace in person gave me a deeper appreciation for the level of dedication behind each piece.
That visit stayed with me.
The Ground: A Shift in Scale and Subject
Yesterday, I made the short trip back to Leicester to see his latest exhibition, The Ground, at the Attenborough Arts Centre.
Spread across two floors, the exhibition showcases a clear evolution in Tim’s work — both in scale and subject matter.
His move to a larger warehouse studio has allowed the work to grow physically, but it’s also opened up a new direction conceptually. His focus has shifted towards plant life, something I’ve watched develop over the past few years through social media.
What’s impressive is that, despite this shift, his signature style remains completely intact — bold colour, expressive marks, and a strong visual identity. If anything, those qualities feel even more amplified.
Experiencing the Work in Person
The moment you step into the exhibition, the scale is immediately striking.
The colours draw you in first, but the real impact comes as you get closer. Layers begin to reveal themselves — expressive brushwork, drips, splashes, and the interplay between acrylic, oil, and spray paint.
The work feels alive.
Although rooted in plant forms, there’s something slightly surreal about the compositions. You’re never quite sure whether you’re looking at something real or something reimagined through Tim’s perspective.
Experiences like this are always a reminder of how important it is to see artwork in person. If you’re interested in exploring more exhibitions like this, you can view my exhibitions here.
A Personal Tour
One of the highlights of the visit was getting a personal tour from Tim Fowler himself.
Hearing the artist speak about the work adds a completely different layer to the experience. He spoke about how his exploration of plant life is connected to his Caribbean ancestry and the relationship those plants have with the UK.
It was a perspective I hadn’t fully considered before — and it added real depth to the work.
He also spoke about the challenges of working at a larger scale. Having more space allows him to step back, reassess, and take bigger risks. There’s also a greater sense of freedom in how the compositions evolve, with less reliance on rigid planning.
Inside the Studio
As if the exhibition wasn’t enough, Tim invited me to visit his new studio.
Walking into the space, it was immediately clear how important scale has become in his work. The studio allows him to work on multiple large pieces simultaneously, pushing ideas further and experimenting more freely.
Seeing works in progress was one of the most interesting parts of the visit.
Some pieces were just beginning, others close to completion. It gave a real insight into how his work develops — the layering, the adjustments, and sometimes the complete reworking of sections.
There’s a real energy in that kind of space.
Reflection
Reflecting on the visit, what stands out most is how much Tim’s work has evolved.
His earlier pieces were visually striking, but this latest body of work feels more resolved — more confident.
There’s a sense of maturity, both in the subject matter and the execution.
The combination of bold colour, expressive technique, and organic forms creates something that stays with you long after you leave.
Final Thoughts
If you have the chance to visit The Ground, I’d highly recommend it.
Whether you’re already familiar with Tim’s work or discovering it for the first time, the exhibition offers a powerful insight into an artist continuing to push their practice forward.
Visits like this are always inspiring — not just as a viewer, but as an artist.
They serve as a reminder to keep evolving, experimenting, and pushing your own work forward.
If you’d like to explore more of my own work, you can view available paintings or browse limited edition prints.
And if you’d like to learn more about my background and process, you can visit my About page.
Exhibition Details
Tim Fowler’s exhibition The Ground runs until 26 January at the Attenborough Arts Centre.
Attenborough Arts Centre
University of Leicester
Lancaster Rd
Leicester
LE1 7HA
