| By
Linda Fudala-Tucker
Awhite-long-haired
pianist playing with absolute absorption in his music
often draws Boca Grande visitors to the window of the
Paradise Gallery where Sarasota's
artist, Jack Dowd has shown his works since 1993.
" He's
an interesting person,"
said Murphy,
gallery owner. "We’ve
had several of his works here since I owned the place."
Most recently, in March, Dowd 's
creation of "Andy
Warhol" became
a presence in New York City where a retro event
lauding the 1970's
took place. His work, "Last
Call" featuring
a life-size bar with assorted patrons has been shown
in numerous cities making Dowd one of the most
celebrated sculptors in the nation.
John Mendelsohn, Art Essayist/ Teacher
on the Jack Dowd website, best sums up Dowd 's
work:
" Jack
Dowd is a connoisseur of American types, the
boisterous, eccentric, innocently hilarious
individuals who rarely become the subjects of art.
Dowd celebrates America’s
idiosyncratic extended family in his ongoing series of
fullsized sculpted figures, enhanced with actual
objects. These folks are regarded by the artist with
affectionate humor and satiric wit, balanced by a
feeling for the pathos of everyday life.
" What
might pass unnoticed in Dowd’s
focus upon the lovably wacky is that through his art
he allows us to clearly see people who are considered
outsiders to the official American mainstream. In Dowd’s
vision, they are treated with pointed humor and a
measure of respect as a vital part of what it means to
be an American today."
|
"The Pianist" performs in
the window of Boca Grande's Paradise Gallery, where
various Dowd works have been displayed since 1993.
Imagine my surprise to find three of
Dowd 's
works on display at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum.
Amusing, and delightful, the works - the "Dot
and Charley" piece
of an elderly couple relaxing in front of their trailer;
the Purple Beast - a biker; and another biker, looking
like a Vietnam vet , are tucked about the museum and
seem to be right at home in a place that celebrates road
warriors of all kinds.
It was when this sculpture - "Dot
and Charley"- was first exhibited that Dowd adopted
his favorite artist's statement, "My work is for
the enjoyment of lovers of humor and to the annoyance of
all others." |
