James Oliver Gallery in Philadelphia is honored to announce our upcoming exhibition presenting the work of John E. Dowell. Opening October 18th, 2025, the solo-exhibition, I Got Through It – John E. Dowell, will feature a selection of prints and works on paper by Dowell, spanning various suites of work and encompassing decades of his career.
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Join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, October 18th from 6-9pm. Hear from Dowell at his Artist Talk on Thursday, November 6th at 7pm. The exhibition will be on view through November 15th, 2025.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dowell’s career has carried him from the printmaking studios of Los Angeles and Rome to the cultural centers of Munich, Bahia, Harlem, and Seoul. His foundation was laid at the Tyler School of Art, the John Herron Art Institute, and the University of Washington, where he obtained his M.F.A. in printmaking and drawing.
In the 1960s, he became one of the first artists to train at the Tamarind Lithography Workshop, refining his technical mastery of lithography and later shaping generations of young artists as one of the few Black professors at Indiana State University. From there, his practice grew into an internationally recognized voice: teaching in Rome, exhibiting at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, participating in the Whitney Biennial, and showing at MoMA and the Venice Biennale print workshop.
Across decades, Dowell’s work entered major museum collections, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Brooklyn Museum, affirming both the reach and resonance of his vision.
Lonely Woman, Etching on Archival Rag, 12 x 9"
She Sings, Color Lithograph on Archival Rag, 20 x 26"
I Got Through It – John E. Dowell reflects this extraordinary journey, bringing together works in copper-plate etching, lithography, and photography. More than a survey of mediums, the exhibition foregrounds the emotional and spiritual throughlines of Dowell’s practice: a lifelong dialogue with jazz and improvisation; an unflinching reckoning with racism and resilience; and an ongoing engagement with African American spiritual traditions.
The exhibition title speaks to Dowell’s ability to transform personal struggle and collective history into art that is both intimate and expansive. These selected works invite viewers to witness how Dowell has always found ways of “getting through” with rhythm, with vision, with enduring creativity.
For a preview of the exhibition catalogue, please send inquiries to jamesolivergallery@gmail.com.
Visit James Oliver Gallery during our hours: Thurs + Fri 5-8pm Sat 1-8pm
Hear from John E. Dowell at his Artist Talk on Thursday, November 6th at James Oliver Gallery.
Join us from 6-8pm for the reception, and listen in at 7pm. Enjoy complimentary beverages while you view
I Got Through It - John E. Dowell.
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Find us at 723 Chestnut St. Floor 2
Philadelphia, PA 19106
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