Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Downing, Joseph Dudley, 1925-2007 |
Birth Date |
11/15/1925 |
Place of Birth |
Tompkinsville, KY |
Death Date |
12/29/2007 |
Place of Death |
France |
Father |
Aldridge C. Downing (1897-1960) |
Mother |
Katie Burton Goodman |
Relationships |
brother of Dero Downing |
Nationality |
American |
Education |
WKU 1946-1947 Northern Illinois College of Optometry, 1950 Chicago Art Institute |
Occupation |
Artist |
Notes |
Citation: "Laymen View Downing Art," College Heights Herald, March 25, 1964. Even people who do not ordinarily like abstract art found themselves able to appreciate the work of Joe Downing Sunday. The titles of many of Mr. Downing's paintings concerned time. Mr. Downing explained his preoccupation with time because of its impalability – because it is "existence and non-existence at the same time." Kentucky which he visited in the late summer of 1962, is the "place in many of his paintings over which time has passed." Mr. Downing explained his choice of orange and blue as the primary colors in most of the paintings in that they are nature colors – the colors of "day and night, and sun and moon, leaf colors, sun colors." However, he likes to avoid dissecting the source of his work "lest it go away." Mr. Downing was opposed to abstract art by the beginning of his career, but soon found that "bit by bit the visibile subject was eliminating itself from my work, almost despite me." He believes that a good artist follows his work as well as he leads it. He now makes his home in France, because "there one has an intangible feeling of the passage of great artitsts which gives off riches." He finds the light in France different, more light and clear. He didn't plan to stay, but "feels right for painting there." When Mr. Downing visits a museum, he said that he ususally goes to the old painters, those of the 15th and 16th century. He also likes the early Italizn primitives and the work of Jerome Bosch. He believes that "pop" art goes no deeper than momentary amusement. It is good satire like a "good issue of the 'New Yorker'." To most non-painters, the question of why does a painter paint arises. Mr. Downing can not explain his reasons, only that it is a pleasure. "I'm not happy when I'm not doing it. When I found it, I knew this was what I wanted." Timeline 1925, November 15 - Joseph Dudley Downing born Tompkinsville, Kentucky, son of Eldridge and A.C. Downing 1927-1944 - grows up in Horse Cave, Kentucky 1945- artilleryman in France during World War II 1946-1947 - attends WKU studying art under Ivan Wilson 1947-1950 - receives optometry degree from Northern Illinois College of Optometry; attends Chicago Art Institute 1950 - vacations in France and stays, eventually settling in Menerbes; works for UNESCO, the American Embassy, Shell Oil and Readers' Digest while painting. 1952-1955 - exhibits annually in Paris, France and Charleston, West Virginia; Pablo Picasso views his work 1958 - exhibit Gaerie Arnaud, Paris, France 1960-1969 - exhibits in Paris and Grenoble, France; Verviers, Belgium; Tokyo, Japan; Bowling Green and Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; Seattle, Washington; Newcastle, England; 1961 - wins Prix de la Jeune Peinture Internationale 1962 - exhibit at Art Center Gallery, Louisville, Kentucky; wins Prix International de Jeune Peinture 1969 - exhibit at Diddle Arena 1978 - exhibit at Gimpel & Weitzenhoffer Gallery, New York City 1980 - exhibit in Horse Cave, Kentucky 1982 - exhibit at Owensboro Museum of Fine Art; exhibit at Huntington Galleries, Huntington, West Virginia 1983 - KET produces "Joe Downing: The Hidden River"; exhibit at Capital Arts Center Gallery in Bowling Green, Kentucky 1984 - Joe Downing: New Works exhibit at Headley-Whitley Museum, Lexington, KY; also exhibited in France and Sweden 1988 - Joe Downing: The Art of an International Kentuckian exhibit at the Kentucky Museum, WKU 1993 - Joe Downing: Recent works exhibit at the Kentucky Museum, WKU 2007, December 29 - dies in France Articles College Heights Herald "Downing Interviewed on Brinkley Report," December 12, 1961 "Former Student is Featured in Courier-Journal," March 4, 1960 "Native Artist Returns to This Country for His 'Best' Exhibit," September 15, 1988 Photo with caption "Joe Downing, a former Wester student has been lauded by art critics on three continents, will present a one-man display on campus March 22. Downing's work with staples and razor blades has given him a unique position among his contemporaries. A resident of Paris since 1950, Downing has returned with 40 paintings and 40 stapleages which are being displayed in Chicago and Louisville," March 18, 1964. Park City Daily News "Artist Downing Featured on KET," August 4, 2000 Bauer, Angela. "French Ask Downing to D-Day Fete," April 21, 1994 Book review: "Kentucky Caves Influence Artist," April 22, 1984 "Downing Exhibit Being Held Over," November 7, 1988 "Downing Exhibit is Worth Viewing," September 15, 1988 "Downing Exhibit Near Closing," June 28, 1993 "Downing Exhibit Slated," September 25, 1983 "Downing Exhibit Will Have Surprises," March 31, 1993 "Downing Exhibits Latest Work," June 28, 1982 "Downing's Art Works to be Shown Here," March 12, 1964 Glenn, Ray. "Park Row Paragraphs," October 25, 1961. "Joe Downing Exhibit to Open," March 26, 1993 "Joe Downing Left His Mark on Art World," January 3, 2008 "Joe Downing Praised by French Magazines," January 20, 1985 "Local Artist Mourned," January 1, 2008 "Local Artists Works Shown in Frankfort," June 27, 1991 Morgan, Stacy. "Downing Recalls Kentucky Roots," May 4, 1984 "Videotape Captures Essence of Artist," April 27, 1984 Photo with caption, "An American Painter in Paris," June 1, 1982 Photo with caption, "Banner" Riley Handy looking at painting, November 16, 1988 Purcell, Denise. "Exhibit Showcasing Downing's Life," September 9, 1988 "Kentucky Museum Opens Display of Downing Art," September 12, 1988 "Owensboro Museum Acquires a Major Downing Painting," November 20, 1987 Ribar, Richard. "An Art Force: Painter Joe Downing Gains an International Reputation," ca. 1979. Stringer, Donna-Lin. "Glass Artists Finish Version of Downing's Work for Show," September 3, 1989 "Western Public Television Plans Broadcasts of Show Documenting Joe Downing's Life," January 4, 2008 Louisville Courier-Journal "Artist, Folk Columnist Sharing Wester Day," May 9, 1969 "Artist Joseph D. Downing, 82, Dies," January 1, 2008 "Downing in New York," May 28, 1978 Heilenman, Diane. "A Tribute to an Artist," June 18, 2000 Howerton, Jean. "Parisian from Horse Cave," February 14, 1960 "Joe Downing Returns," March 28, 1993 "Joe Downing Show," October 2, 1983; May 20, 1984 Lansdell, Sarah. "Downing Show Opens Today at Owensboro," June 6, 1982 "Downing's Paintings Reveal a New Energy," June 8, 1980 "Joe Downing's Art: A Three-way View," July 4, 1982 "Return of a Native," May 11, 1980 "Style and Light Will Illuminate a Downing 'Event'," May 18, 1980 Osinski, Bill. "Cave Country's Brush with the Art World," May 15, 1980 Documents & Primary Sources SC1746 Dero Downing Papers - inventory - http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1645&context=dlsc_mss_fin_aid UA3/3/1 Kelly Thompson Subject File - inventory - http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1105&context=dlsc_ua_fin_aid UA51/3/3 Fanlight, Vol. 9, No. 1 - http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_ua_records/331/ VHS - Joe Downing: Poet of Color and Light, 2008 WKU Public Information. "Joe Downing, 'American Artist in Paris,' Comes Home to Horse Cave," 1980 "Joe Downing Exhibit Opens at Kentucky Museum This Weekend," Sept. 6, 1988. WKU Spirit. "Unique Gift from U.S. Bank Will Support Various Programs at WKU," Spring 2008. |
Related Records
-
-
An Evening in Shakertown invitation
Invitation to An Evening in Shakertown with the David Humphreys Orchestra, Saturday the sixteenth of June at six thirty in the evening at the 1824 Centre House, South Union, Kentucky. Featured artwork by Joe Downing. 17.8 x 12.7 cm.
Record Type: Archive
-
Downing & Trout exhibits [pamphlet] - Western Kentucky University
Two sided brochure with one side issuing an invitation to the Allan M. Trout Collection's reception and first public showing in the Allan Trout Room of the Kentucky Building and the other side issuing an invitation to an exhibit of paintings by Joe Downing, May 18, 1969, 1-5 p.m., Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky. Both sides include biographical sketches, photographs and information about their work. 21.7 x 9.6 cm. Folded.
Record Type: Archive
-
Governor's Awards in the Arts invitation
Invitation to the 1999 Governor's Awards in the Arts ceremony and reception held in the Rotunda, Kentucky State Capitol Building, Frankfort, KY. Joe Downing is recipient of the National Award. Includes a booklet regarding winners of 9 awards and a response card. 13.9 x 10.8 cm.
Record Type: Archive
-
Joe Downing
Large poster for the exhibit of Joe Downing's work at the Galleri Krakeslatt in Bromolla, Sweden, November of 1984. 100 x 70 cm.
Record Type: Archive
-
Joe Downing
Color poster with black lettering promoting the latest works of art by Joe Downing "Oeuvres Recentes" at the Galerie Bellint on November 15, 1978. The poster is signed by Downing. 45 x 55
Record Type: Archive
-
Joe Downing
Poster prints of Joe Downing taken in Menerbes, France; he is shown with several large pieces of his art. 38 x 28 cm.
Record Type: Archive
-
-
Joe Downing
Joe Downing in a series of photographs. These may have been taken in Athens, Greece as they were in a photograph envelope marked Hotel Grande Bretagne.
Record Type: Photo
-
-
Joe Downing
Large poster for the exhibit of Joe Downing's work at the Galleri Krakeslatt in Bromolla, Sweden, November of 1984. 100 x 70 cm.
Record Type: Archive
-
Joe Downing 1986 Art Show [invitation]
Invitation which reads: Joe Downing New Paintings and Sculpture from Paris October 26 - December 20, 1986 Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and by appointment. You are cordially invited to the opening of an exhibition of new works by Joe Downing Sunday, Octobert 26, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Triangle Gallery 522 W. Short Street, Lexington, Ky. 40508 (606)233-1263 10.6 x 14 cm. Library copy's envelope address...
Record Type: Archive
-
Joe Downing Exhibition
Poster for Joe Downing's rawhide paintings exhibition at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art entitled "The long, long summers' dreams." Two copies. Includes a poem. 48.5 x 34 cm
Record Type: Archive
-
Joe Downing Exhibit poster.
Joe Downing Exhibit, signed poster. The Art of an International Kentuckian. Kentucky Museum - Western Kentucky University.
Record Type: Photo
-
-
-
-
Joe Downing's Lyrical Abstraction [invitation]
Invitation which reads: Huntington Galleries Invites You to Meet the Artist Joe Downing at the opening of Joe Downing's Lyrical Abstraction on Sunday, June twenty-ninth Exhibition commentary with the Artist Two O'clock Reception Three Unil Five O'Clock Huntington Galleries, Park Hills, Huntington, West Virginia 25701 12.4 x 15.3 cm.
Record Type: Archive
![Joe Downing's Lyrical Abstraction [invitation]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/pastperfectonline/images/museum_464/151/thumbs/sc201468580.jpg)
-
Kentucky Expatriates Exhibit Poster
Poster advertising the "Kentucky Expatriates: Natives and Notable Visitors, The Early 1800's to the Present" exhibit at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art. The poster displays the art piece "Ever So" by Joe Downing.
Record Type: Archive
-
Les Portes de la Vie with Joe Downing invitation
Invitation which reads: Mr. Jerry Baker requests the pleasure of your company to honor Mr. Joe Downing and to celebrate the installation of "Les Portes de la Vie" in "La Pavillon des Portes." Saturday, May 11, 1996 5:30 until 8:00 pm The Baker Arboretum 4701 Morgantown Rd. Bowling Green, KY 42101 Phone 502.842.9489 Fax 502.781.6914 RSVP by April 26, 1996 Verso features a photograph of Joe Downing and Les Portes de la Vie 16.1 x 11...
Record Type: Archive
