New Works By John Dowd August 29 – September 1, 2003   The William-Scott Gallery is pleased to present new works by renowned Provincetown painter John Dowd.  Luminous, moody, and nostalgic, Dowd’s canvases capture and preserve for posterity the historic architecture and unique landscape of the outer Cape.  An artists’ reception will be held on Friday, August 29th from 7 to 9pm.  For those unable to attend the exhibition, it will be available for viewing on line on August 29th at www.williamscottgallery.com    Dowd’s work is a synthesis of his interests in the light of the Luminists, the sense of place of the American Realists, and the moodiness of the German Romantics. His trademarks are expert composition and a masterful handling of light, whether he is painting during sunset at Race Point, rendering Provincetown’s traditional homes, or portraying the mysterious, unearthly glow of the city at night.

The artist John Dowd in his studio

Distinguished by an absence of people, Dowd’s paintings instead focus on the structures humans have erected.  Thus the work conveys the sentiment that it is perhaps the very same humans who built the structures who are responsible for the changes which will eventually forever alter the landscape and character of a place like Provincetown.  As in the works of 19th century German Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, Dowd’s canvases project a profound sense of isolation, and explore the conflicting coexistence of the man-made world and nature’s sublime beauty.   His work has been exhibited throughout the country with numerous works held in private, corporate and museum collections.  He studied architecture at Notre Dame and further advanced his studies in Rome.  Dowd was awarded the Altman Prize “Grand Prize for Landscape” from the National Academy.  He currently resides in Provincetown and New York City.     The William-Scott Gallery is located at 439 Commercial Street in the heart of Provincetown’s East End gallery district.  All exhibitions and receptions are free and open to the public.  For more information please call Almitra Stanley, Director, at (508) 487-4040. Digital images available for publication upon request.