NATHAN BOWEN - PiLGRiMAGE TO GREENWiCH.

In anticipation of his upcoming show here at EDiT. We sat down with artist Nathan Bowen to learn more about his practice.

London-based artist Nathan Bowen is well-known for treating the street as his canvas. His signature street art style, peppered with his Demon characters, will have made a lasting impression on many.

Nathan’s upcoming show ‘THE PiLGRiMAGE TO GREENWiCH’, will showcase a diverse range of Nathan’s work, including road signs, reworked surfaces, mixed media collaborations and more, offering a dynamic blend of styles (or, as Nathan describes it, a smoothie).

WHERE: EDiT. Gallery, 2 Greenwich Market, London. SE10 9HZ.

WHEN: 28th March - 6th April 2025 - opening drinks on the Thursday 27th March from 6pm-8.30pm.

Back to EDiT.orial

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Nathan describes his practice as "fast and spontaneous." He thrives under pressure, which is something he's well accustomed to. As he works on the streets, people often gather around him, and he says this energy drives him even more. Whether at home or in his studio, that same dynamic force runs through his art. Wherever he is making work, Nathan is infused with the same passion and energy that has made him a standout in the world of urban art.

Nathan grew up loving art and, inspired by the work he saw on the streets as a child, would practice his graffiti letters on paper. As he grew older he built on his skills, taking himself out into the city and exploring the world of street art. After getting into Central St Martins a year early to study Fine Art,he expanded his practice into work that could exist outside of the streets. Now, his work confidently straddles both the street and gallery worlds and is the reason he is such a well loved figure in London and beyond.

"i LiKE TO START iN THE MORNiNG, iT'S FRESH"

Nathan prefers to work during the day, rising early and heading out into the world to keep everything moving. The exception is Wacky Wednesday, when he joins the ‘Daiwun School of Art’—a collective of street artists he founded. The group is all about embracing the mindset of seizing the moment, living fully, and celebrating the day's victories. Some of the Daiwun School of Art will be showing their collaborations in THE PiLGRiMAGE TO GREENWiCH. Nathan credits the community Daiwun has created with keeping him on his toes. Daiwun School of Art fosters collaboration and keeps its members engaged and pushing boundaries. While valuing his time alone in the studio, Nathan appreciates the importance of the collective, as members learn from one another and share advice.

Location plays a central role in Nathan’s practice, with street art offering him the opportunity to engage with spaces in fresh and exciting ways. For his show at EDiT., Nathan will draw inspiration from the local area, incorporating iconic elements of Greenwich into his work.

"A4 TO THE DOOR"

- the BEST advice from Nathan Bowen.

Nathan’s work shifts between different scales, a challenge for many artists but something he seems to take in his stride. He knows plenty of artists who struggle with scaling their work from a small sheet of paper to a large wall. His advice for anyone tackling this: "A4 to the door." Start by creating your work on A4 paper, then scale it up to fit a door. Once you've mastered that, try two doors. The ratios are similar so the transition is easier. Nathan’s can do attitude is evident here, he is a problem solver and a sharer.

"YOU MAKE ARTWORK THAT REFLECTS YOUR ENViROMENT"

Nathan's Demon characters, first appearing in his early comic Afterlives, have since become a signature element of his work. While working as a builder in the 2000s, Nathan created a demon wearing a hard hat and hi-vis vest and sprayed it up in the street. He really liked it and it formed the start of an exciting creative journey. Nathan draws inspiration from his surroundings and daily life. He encourages others to do the same—using their environment and experiences as fuel for their creativity.

There is an impermanence to street art, and a misconception that only unauthorized work is truly legitimate. Nathan challenges this idea, believing that the street is a canvas to be used in any way possible. Given the transient nature of street art, his commercial work offers a way to maintain consistency and continuity, allowing his work a permanence.

Nathan cites street artist Invader as one of his major inspirations. He admires Invader's unique approach, particularly how he tailors his work to fit a building or space, rather than trying to force a space to fit his artwork. This mindset resonates with Nathan, as he values adaptability and the ability to work in harmony with the environment around him.

Beyond Invader, it’s Nathan’s community that plays a crucial role in his creative growth. The collective energy, feedback, and collaboration within his circle keep him constantly thinking, evolving, and pushing the boundaries of his practice. It's this constant exchange that fuels his development as an artist.

"ART iS COMMUNiCATiON"

Nathan appreciates when people reach out to him to express their appreciation for his work and engage in meaningful conversations. He’s a strong advocate for art as a tool for learning and for fostering community and connection. He believes that art provides a way to connect with a place and the people within it, offering a genuine reason to engage and be part of something bigger.

Nathan hosts art battles called 21 Minutes, a fast-paced tournament where participants are eliminated in different rounds. The concept started in a pub in Peckham and has spread throughout London. Nathan is busy planning the next one. These tournaments have been a key way for him to connect with many of the people who are now part of Daiwun School of Art. They offer a great opportunity for socializing and building community. With live music and live art, 21 Minutes brings people together creatively with a "just do it" attitude —a celebration of creativity, action, and collaboration.

"i LOVE CRUiSiNG THROUGH LONDON"

At the end of our conversation, I ask Nathan what his favourite thing to do in the city is. He describes a day spent with his son, dog, and his friend, cruising through the city on their scooters - weaving in and out of the streets Nathan knows so well. It makes sense. After all, Nathan is most at home making his own routes through the city.

Nathan Bowen's upcoming show at EDiT. truly reflects the city he calls home and his local surroundings. With a strong focus on Greenwich, the work anchors itself to a specific place, highlighting the significance of city and geography in Nathan’s art. THE PiLGRiMAGE TO GREENWiCH will run over two weekends, from March 27th (Thursday PV) to April 6th, offering a chance to experience the freshest pieces from Nathan’s creative journey.