Frank Bowling - An Abstract Painting Workshop at Barge East

After three years of bringing bold, expressive and colourful art making to the rooftop bar, abstract painting returns to the Barge for its fourth season in 2026! 

Each session is themed around a specific artist, and with plenty of one-to-one feedback and all materials included, these classes are perfect for beginners, but work just as well for more experienced artists looking to shake up their practice or to experiment with new approaches. Led by artist and educator Dan Whiteson (FreeForm Life Drawing) this is a truly unique evening full of art history, technical information and freedom of expression. See below for all the details on May's session, inspired by Frank Bowling.

Frank Bowling is one of contemporary British painting’s most important figures. Guyana born, he moved to London at 19 to pursue a career in art. His early work combined figurative, symbolic and abstract elements but it’s the increasingly abstract work made after his move to New York that we will be focusing on in this workshop. Alongside his beautiful body of work, his critical writings represent a significant contribution to intellectual debates on ‘black art’, rejecting the idea that ‘artists who happen to be black’ should be making overtly political or protest art and defended those engaged in abstraction.

After we delve into a body of work that is testament to the energy, intensity and intelligence of this remarkable artist, taking in his experiments with material, process, colour and found objects we will make our own abstract pieces with an emotional and personal approach.

All necessary drawing/painting materials will be provided, though you are welcome to bring your own paints/surfaces should you prefer. We will be our using phones/tablets for the photographs, so please make sure you have plenty of charge, or bring a charger with you! This is a fully tutored class so no previous experience is required.

Please note the class will be taking place in the beautiful garden/rooftop space at Barge East. There will be a tent overhead, but we will be essentially working & painting outside, so do dress appropriately! We'll be using acrylic paints, which are water based and wash out of clothing, but I would recommend not getting too dressed up, or to bring an apron/change of clothes if you're worried about mess. Unfortunately the rooftop bar is up a set of stairs, with no alternative access. Please message me directly if you have any concerns.