Fran Bouwman

Bio:

My art is born from emotion, philosophy, diversity, politics, and spirituality. Sculpture is my way of processing the world — a therapeutic exploration that invites me to dive into the underbelly of life and examine my own depths and relationships.

At 23, I met Jeff Stone — a wild visionary and Tai Chi master who saw something in me I hadn’t yet recognized. After meditating on my hands, he declared I was destined to be a sculptor. Within weeks, I was enrolled at the Ontario College of Art. I loved it. Around the same time, I shifted my studies at the University of Toronto from Archaeology to World Religions and Philosophy — a turning point that redirected my creative and intellectual life. Jeff disappeared as mysteriously as he arrived, but his impact remains indelible.

I work primarily in wood, metal, and clay. As a child, I was captivated by shapes in nature — clouds, burls, branches, rivers — all whispering stories. I’ve always seen forms within forms: a bear in a knot of wood, a raven in the grain.

My fascination with diversity — cultural, gendered, economic, and neurological — deepened in my twenties and continues to fuel my work. Feminist and inclusive perspectives are central to my creative voice.

Three decades into this journey, I’m still pushing forward, balancing sculpture with musical comedy, educational consulting, and life’s day-to-day. I’ve returned to my roots, near the shores of Georgian Bay, surrounded by the woods that first sparked my imagination. What keeps me going is the unshakable belief that my creative potential is boundless. I’m excited to see where it leads.