About

Bowles and Linares have been designing simple yet well-crafted objects, lighting and interiors since launching a collection in 1997.  Their work is resonant with sculptural, modernist, minimal and historical reference, made from their defined palette of materials. Although appearing simple, all designs are intricately detailed and have a highly-refined finish as well as a truthful and raw edge in material and with the mark of the maker.  They manufacture in house at their West London based workshop and studio. Bowles and Linares put themselves on the map between 1997 and 2008 with their acclaimed London studio/shop in Hereford Road W2.  2017 is the 27th anniversary of their working partnership.

 

Born in 1962 in Surrey, England, Sharon Bowles grew up in a design-led family and had travelled the European and American continents by the age of 16.  She turned down a place at RADA in favour of the applied arts and went on to gain a BA Interior Design degree at Kingston Polytechnic. She spent time in East and West Africa volunteering with UNESCO on town conservation studies before working in various architectural practices.  She gained a place at the Architectural Association and continued to apprentice in various London architectural practices later in London, where she was project interior designer for the house of art collector Charles Saatchi before sidestepping into a furniture craft workshop making bespoke commissions where she met her partner Edgar Linares in 1990.

 

Born in 1960 in Bogota, Colombia, Edgar Linares is one of nine children in a family of craftsmen, architects and designers.  From the age of 13, he was welding and crafting traditional Colombian buses in his father’s workshops and later studied at applied and fine arts colleges in Bogota. He travelled throughout Colombia sourcing and trading in Pre-Colombian ceramics and designed handcrafted jewellery in gold and ceramic using Pre Colombian artisanal techniques.  In London he worked for craftsman and furniture designer John Harwood where he met Sharon Bowles.   During these early days of their partnership, they produced commissions for private clients alongside manufacturing for David Gill and other acclaimed artists before launching their own collection of furniture, lighting and accessories.

2009 – present

Bowles and Linares continue to produce the centre designs from their lighting collection and bespoke to order for their retailers and bespoke lighting installations for private clients.  Glass, Wood carving and Concrete designs are available from their online shop or directly from the designers workshop/studio.

BIOGRAPHY

November 1997 Christopher Farr/Cappellini Westbourne Grove W11 ‘Cast Vessels Vases and Bowls’ solo exhibition of concrete

February 1997 Sothebys contemporary Decorative Arts  (curator Janice Blackburn) Espiga light and Farol chandelier

January 1998 Bonhams Decorative Arts Today (curator Peta Levi) Libreria en segmentos bookcase, Mirror, Horsechair, Espiga lamp

February 1998 Sothebys Contemporary Decorative Arts (curator Janice Blackburn) Rocking chair, Horselamp, Secretaria table

September 1998 100% Design Exhibition Blueprint design award shortlist Espiga lamp lighting

October 1998 Bowes Museum “Spirit of The Times” (curator Janice Blackburn) Concrete pot

February 1998 Modern Ground contemporary Design Show  (curator Rachael Barraclough) Espiga floorlamp, Secretaria table

February 1999 Modern Ground contemporary Design Show  (curator Rachael Barraclough) Horse lamp

July 1999 Laurent Perrier Champagne Design Challenge 1999 design of a champagne glass

February 1999 Peugeot Design Award1999 Shortlist for cafetera de filtro

September 1999 – Studio launch – Obhetos a Collection of Usables – Another Chair, Cafetera de Filtro, Felt Chair

February  2000 Sothebys Contemporary Decorative Arts (curator Rachael Barraclough) Another chair, fondant lamp

February 2000 Homes and Gardens Classic design awards at the V&A, shortlist for tableware category ‘Cafetera de Filtro’  borosilicate glass coffee filter.

May 5 2000 TATE Modern  Gallery Launch Dinner for The International Council.  Concept design installation and co ordination for evening benefactor dinner.

May 1-May 14 2000 ARANGO Dadeland Florida British Design 2000 Exhibition of 20 London based designers

September 2000 – Studio launch – Pneumatic –  Ve glassware launch from the Obhetos range (Falda and Claro cups/glasses)

September 2000 Laurent Perrier Champagne Design Challenge 2000 design of a champagne bucket in glass

September 2001 Mathmos Spin city (Metal Spinning Project) 10 Internationally acclaimed designers working in London exhibit

March 28th 2002 – October 27th 2002 The National Trust for Scotland Inspirations Exhibition at  The Hill House Glasgow.  Curated furniture, lighting and accessories by designers in Britain who have been inspired by the design principles of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.  Bowles and Linares  “Horselamp” exhibited. (Curator Anne Ellis)

June 2002 LOSA invited to join London South Africa project Creative director Rachael Barraclough. Project folded before products released July 2003

February 2003 Sothebys Contemporary Decorative Arts 2003 curated by Rachael Barraclough  Heisce -Chaise longue and  Blee -Chair  – collaborating with textile designer Kate Blee

September 2009 – 100% Design launch – Botella lampa –