Milton Bowens
— Milton Bowens—
Milton Bowens ( b.1967), widely known as Milton 510, is an Oakland-born mixed-media artist whose work bridges history, social commentary, and personal narrative through richly layered visual storytelling. His signature style combines painting, collage, text, and found materials to create dynamic compositions that explore African-American identity, cultural memory, and contemporary issues.
Rooted deeply in the Bay Area, Bowens adopted “510” from the local area code as a tribute to his upbringing and community. His work reflects this grounding, drawing from local histories, national movements, and global Black experiences. Each piece functions as a visual archive — blending historical documents, ephemera, headlines, and hand-rendered text to spark dialogue and encourage viewers to “listen” as much as they look.
Bowens has exhibited throughout the United States and his work has been featured in academic, cultural, and public institutions. Known for his commitment to arts education, he frequently engages with schools and community organizations, using art as a tool for learning, empowerment, and cultural preservation.
Whether in his studio practice or his outreach work, Milton Bowens continues to champion the idea that art should educate, resonate, and endure — offering layered perspectives on the past, present, and future of Black life in America.
