Carlos Dowling: Master Potter & World Renown Artist
“The way stories can be told through art has always driven my passion for my craft. From living culture as a Bermudian, to receiving education in London, to the journey of becoming an American citizen; the stories of art can connect us all. We communicate in art more than we recognize. I am passionate about creating in a way to express that journey and tell the stories of who we all really are in physical form and art pieces. Let’s continue to be expressive, communicative, and create a living history together.”
Carlos, a Bermuda native, has spent his life using his talent to create, educate and instruct others in the arts from Bermuda to England to New York City to Roanoke.
His passion for art began in sculpting as a 13 year old in Bermuda. Dowling was fortunate to earn an apprenticeship under the late Bylee Lang, an award winning sculptor from Canada who moved to Bermuda. During the five years that Dowling apprenticed with Lang, she was responsible for building Dowling’s passion for pottery. After her passing, Dowling earned a scholarship in Lang’s memory to Staffordshire College in Technology, Stoke-on-Trent in England. During his time there he was awarded an apprenticeship at Wedgewood Factory.
When Dowling returned to Bermuda, he managed two potteries and trained the staff. According to Dowling, “this is what helped him the most with his teaching skills”. He’s been teaching pottery at the Brambleton Center in Roanoke for over six years.
Dowling functions as a freelance artist, not gravitating toward a particular style or look, but gets inspiration from the environment and experiences. His resume’ of contracted work includes IBM, Sarah Coventry, Jacques Cousteau, and Columbia pictures film “The Deep”. One of his most known productions is the ASPCA crest at the national headquarters in New York City. Dowling regards his sculpture of Sally Bassett as one of his best works. The Government of Bermuda commissioned him to create the 12 foot, 1200 ton bronze sculpture. It took six months to complete and was shipped to a foundry in Baltimore that molded the original sculpture into bronze. The sculpture was unveiled in 2008 at Bermuda’s government grounds.
Carlos now resides in Roanoke, Virginia where he creates daily and teaches at Earthworks Sculpture & Pottery in Vinton. As a master potter he is a sought after artist to perform and teach his unique style of pottery creation. He is also a well versed sculptor in all mediums and finishes, a skilled painter, and a general media artist. He is well known for his custom work in the television and film world and a home near you. It is hard to miss his signature style. So, try to spot his work in your world!
Carlos Has Work Featured
All Over the World
Bremuda: 12 FT, 1200 Ton, Bronze Sculpture of
In 1730, the colonial government of Bermuda executed Sarah Bassett, an enslaved woman, for allegedly attempting to poison her granddaughter’s enslavers. In Spirit of Freedom, in Bremuda, she is shown with her hand and feet bound, as she gazes defiantly upward.
Sarah “Sally” Bassett
Her Story:
Sarah (Sally) Bassett was an enslaved woman owned by the estate of Francis Dickinson of Southampton. On June 1, 1730, she was tried on the “Suspicion of Poisoning several persons” including the mariner Thomas Forester, his wife Sarah, and Nancey, a household bondswoman. Sally was charged with supplying the poison that Nancey discovered in the wall of the Kitchen outlet. Although Sally maintained her innocence, stating that she “Never deserved” the sentence given, she was burned at the stake for the offence.
Local lore holds that it was extremely hot when Sally was executed; and even now, Bermudians may Refer to a scorchingly hot day as “A real Sally Bassett day”.
At the time of her sentencing, Sally was valued at one pound, four shillings and six pence. Another local Legend says that Bermuda’s national flower, the Bermudiana, grew from sally’s ashes.
A pair of bronze plaques on the upper step of the base of the statue inscribed:
The African diaspora heritage trail – Bermuda Officially designated a UNESCO slave route project.
7ft Bronze Sculpture
Dedicated: February 9, 2009
New York City: The ASPCA Crest at the ASPCA National Headquarters
While on assignment in Russia as an American diplomat, a New Yorker named Henry Bergh stopped a carriage driver from beating his fallen horse. The year was 1863, and it was then and there that Bergh realized the effect he could have on the world. He soon resigned his post and returned to New York to devote his energy to the prevention of cruelty to animals. In 1866, he founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the ASPCA.
CARLOS DOWLING - ARTIST 