Robert Gordon Powell (1948-2020) was a visionary artist and architect who shared his unique perceptions of Asian architecture, art and culture with the world.
With an eye beguiled by beauty and a heart attuned to the strange and ineffable qualities of physical heritage, Robert was a magician with pen, pencil and brush. His deep fascination with the cultures and beliefs invisibly intertwined with his subjects is also noticeably present within his signature style. This curiosity with physical representations of ritual presence results in hidden layers to his craft that are only revealed upon closer appreciation of his work.
With an eye beguiled by beauty and a heart attuned to the strange and ineffable qualities of physical heritage, Robert was a magician with pen, pencil and brush.
Enchanted Matter
Film Trailer
“Science is the explanation of how the world is…
I think for everybody, art makes the world strange again.”
– Robert Powell
In the award-winning documentary Enchanted Matter, director Tom Piozet takes us on a journey through the Himalayas to explore the life, philosophy, and hyperreal artistry of a man who saw the divine in the everyday. From his early days as a young architect in the 1970s to his legendary status as a chronicler of Himalayan culture, watch the trailer below to see how Robert’s pen and brush brought ‘inanimate’ objects to vibrant, breathing life.”
Robert Powell’s watercolours, acrylics and sketches vividly capture his impassioned and knowledgeable appreciation of remote regions and rare cultures.
I. Nepal
II. Mustang
III. Angkor
IV. China
V. Japan
XI. Imaginary
VII. India
VIII. Pakistan
VIIII. Samui
X. Tantra
VI. Hong Kong
XII. Paper Sculptures
XIII. Shaman Artefacts
XIIII. Greece
Featured Artwork for Sale
From rare original paintings to high-fidelity limited edition prints, each piece invites you to explore the world through the eyes of an architect-artist. Whether capturing the quiet dignity of historic landscapes or the intricate details of human habitation, these works are more than just images—they are chapters of a lifelong creative odyssey.
As with all items in our shop, every acquisition directly supports Robert’s wife, Lieve Aerts Powell, helping to preserve a storied artistic legacy.
Featured Reviews
On Video
We currently have two treasured videos in our archive that feature Robert Powell sharing some of his inspirations and the techniques he used as an artist. As well as describing works from China and Mustang, Robert is also interviewed about his ‘Images of Tantra’ exhibition in Thailand.
Publications
Robert Powell authored two highly detailed books about the Himalayas. While his artwork provides the anchor for each publication, it is Rob’s depth of knowledge and the way he forensically studies, portrays and discusses his subjects that lifts these works to higher literary peaks.
EARTH . DOOR . SKY . DOOR
Paintings of Mustang by Robert Powell
Mustang’s windswept landscape is stripped of comfort and is dramatic and overwhelming in scale. Almost every construction bears signs of ritual activity, and these hardy structures became the focus for Rob’s paintings.
Himalayan Drawings
by Robert Powell
Himalayan Drawings presents over 140 works documenting the abundance of local traditions in the valleys of the highest mountains in the world.