Mark Gowing
Language system of segmented circles #9

Mark Gowing
Language system of segmented circles (Untitled 2)
2020
One-off original artwork
Stickers on book page
28 × 26 cm

Language system of segmented circles is a series of small scale artworks created using common dot stickers on torn out pages from old books about the history of art. Created as reactions to the artworks printed on the pages, Gowing carefully cuts and arranges the sticker dots to produce formally deconstructed letterforms that accumulate to form typographic statements that are either about the existing works, or are instinctive reactions to them. These typographic statements are rhythmic and shapely interventions that recontextualise the original book pages, adding new life and creating new meanings.

This artwork is made from a page torn from a used book and hand-cut commercial stickers. Any imperfections are an intentional part of the work.

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Mark Gowing is an artist, publisher and designer working in in Gadigal/Wangal country, Sydney, Australia. He is the director of Formist, a publisher, type foundry and graphic design studio, specialising in books, typefaces and cultural and commercial commissions. Gowing is also co-founder of the groundbreaking music arts organisation Longform Editions. With a practice spanning more than 30 years, Gowing has produced projects for leading organisations and institutions with a passionate focus on visual art and language, design, film and music. He has been honoured with solo exhibitions at the 22nd International Poster Biennale in Warsaw, Poland, the Divieto d’Affissione in Turin, Italy and Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Gowing is a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale and his work is held in numerous institutional collections including the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, USA.

markgowing.com