The James Oliver Gallery is hosting John E Dowell’s upcoming solo exhibition, “I Got Through It”, marking a profound return to form and reflection for one of Philadelphia’s most accomplished visual artists. Opening October 18th, 2025, this retrospective offers a look into the creative evolution of John E Dowell, featuring a curated selection of prints and works on paper that span the breadth of his storied career.
Dowell, a Philadelphia native born in 1941, is no stranger to acclaim. A master printer and visual storyteller, his work has graced the walls of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, MoMA, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. With deep roots in the city’s cultural fabric, Dowell’s influence is both historical and contemporary—his artistry shaped by the tension of mid-century movements and refined through decades of technical expertise.
He is a pioneer in lithography, having studied at the Tamarind Lithography Workshop during its formative years in the 1960s. “I Got Through It” is a statement of survival, process, and permanence in the face of life’s uncertainties.
John E Dowell’s Work Honors Legacy, Lived Experience, and Experimentation
The exhibit is a visual timeline—decades of creativity distilled into powerful images that speak to endurance, experimentation, and elegance. Every suite selected for I Got Through It offers a different lens into Dowell’s personal and professional journey. His works on paper are textured with emotional resonance, demonstrating a deft hand in lithography, drawing, and layered abstraction.
Whether exploring jazz-inspired rhythms or exploring symbolic and architectural motifs, Dowell’s prints demand contemplation. Each piece is a study in contrast—chaos and clarity, tension and tranquility, geometry and gesture.
For those familiar with Dowell’s earlier works, the exhibit reveals a continuous thread of cultural interrogation and spiritual inquiry. And for new viewers, “I Got Through It” is an invitation to explore the psychological and political complexities embedded in the prints of a Black artist who has weathered—and responded to—America’s artistic, racial, and cultural shifts for over half a century.
The Opening Reception will take place on Saturday, October 18th, from 6–9 PM, offering guests a first look at this deeply personal collection. An Artist Talk with John E Dowell is scheduled for Thursday, November 6th at 7 PM, preceded by a reception from 6–8 PM.
John E Dowell at James Oliver Gallery Through November 15th
The exhibition reaffirms John E Dowell’s place in the canon of American printmakers, while also asserting the continuing relevance of analog techniques in a digital age. With each impression, Dowell reinforces the value of patience, of printmaking as ritual, and of art as a method for healing and historical preservation. His images are not just seen—they’re felt, echoing the strength and complexity of a life devoted to making, teaching, and witnessing.
For details, directions, and future programming, visit jamesolivergallery.com.
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