Mark O’Connor Bowles is a British-Bolivian artist whose deep sensitivity to nature has been expressed through painting and music since an early age.
By the age of six, Mark was already exploring both the piano and visual arts; at twelve, one of his water lily paintings was selected to illustrate the invitation to an art exhibition in Bolivia. Raised across continents, Mark’s work received consistent recognition at school art fairs in both Bolivia and Bethesda, Maryland (USA). He also exhibited his art at Amazon Andes, a gallery in Washington D.C. His practice remains deeply rooted in the natural world, blending observation and intuition in a style shaped by his heritage and a restless curiosity.
He pursued formal piano studies at a university in the United States while continuing private painting lessons, maintaining a balance between musical and visual disciplines. In 2020, he moved to London and began working on his first collection inspired by Disney.
In 2023–2024, Mark focused his creative attention on the Victoria Boliviana — a giant water lily — establishing a connection between Moxos–Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and London, United Kingdom. This species, recently classified as the largest leaf in the world, is native to Bolivia and beautifully displayed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London.
Fascinated by the flower’s transformation from white to pink, its vast floating leaves, and the intricate spines beneath them, Mark immersed himself in this botanical wonder — evoking Monet’s iconic water lilies as he researched the species’ history.
For Mark, nature is both a scientific marvel and an artistic muse. We are pleased to announce that the Kew Shop, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, offers reproductions of five of Mark’s paintings — inspired by this magnificent species and influenced by the style of Monet’s water lilies.
Exhibitions & Presentations
Mark O’Connor Bowles has exhibited his work in both the United Kingdom and Bolivia. In London, he held a solo exhibition at the Art/Fix Gallery in Greenwich, presenting Victoria Boliviana — a series of nature-inspired paintings created for an urban audience.
In Bolivia, his works have been exhibited at Ateneo Campo and the Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring both Victoria Boliviana and Amazonía — projects supported by José Moreno Aparicio, a renowned Bolivian artist specializing in landscape painting. This body of work explores artistic responses to the Amazon and its fragile ecosystems.
As part of his research and growing connection with the subject, Mark traveled to San Ignacio de Moxos, in the Beni region, where he gave a presentation at the Cathedral Museum and had the opportunity to observe the Victoria Boliviana in its natural habitat — an experience that significantly deepened his artistic exploration of native flora.
His most recent exhibitions have taken place at CBAT, the Contemporary Bolivian Arts Trust — an organization that supports opportunities for Bolivian artists and promotes their work in the United Kingdom. Mark has also participated in a group exhibition at BobCat Gallery from August through September. He is coming back November and December 2025 for Christmas celebration with new paintings. Located in the Putney Exchange shopping center in London. Further opportunities are being sought with galleries in London to exhibit Victoria Boliviana and Amazonía.
My Art and souvenirs are also exhibited and for sale in Bolivia. Casa Design Center (Ateneo IC Norte) a very pleasant “coffee bookstore”, is displaying the 2026 Calendar with images from Victoria and Amazonia, as well as nice souvenirs. Its brunch Ateneo Campo (Roca Gravato Foundation), is displaying and selling my Art. Ateneo Campo, beautiful place to spend the day and breath art in Santa Cruz.
