Having completed a Diploma of Fine Arts (Hons) at the University of Canterbury in 1955, Bullmore taught in Tauranga before travelling to Florence and London to further his artistic career.

In London he exhibited alongside Miro, Picasso, Dali and Magritte. In 1960's the prestigious international art dictionary, Thieme Becker, included two New Zealanders, they were Frances Hodgkins and Edward Bullmore.

The Icons series evolved on from the Astrofroms (of which Stanley Kubrick purchased one which later appeared in his file Clockwork Orange). The series was relatively small with 12 being exhibited at Barry Lett Galleries in 1978.

This particular Icon relates to the Dead Sea Scrolls and includes a central ceramic piece. The mixed media process used was a long and involved process.