Stephen Bowers makes pottery that fires the imagination. He combines rich, modern life experiences with skills and traditions that stretch back thousands of years to create complex works full of wonder. From familiar, everyday items, to the transformative alchemy of deluxe and super deluxe bravura museum pieces, his art is acclaimed and collected across Australia and overseas.

This is the first major publication devoted to Stephen Bowers’ craft. It shows how the history of his working life as an educator, studio manager and arts administrator melded with his artistic career to produce an original and outstanding contribution to contemporary Australian ceramics. Mapping the artist’s inspirations, influences and ideas, detailing the formation and development of his practice, this book discusses his creative techniques and methods, and explains the importance of his collaborative approach to making work. Stephen Bowers: Beyond Bravura celebrates the intellect, imagination and inventiveness of an original Australian artist whose career extends already over 35 years.