Gerald Francis O'Dowd

Gerald Francis O'Dowd was born in south-east London to Irish parents and currently works from his north London studio.

He grew up surrounded by music and building materials, both of which have had a formative influence on his practice. The family home was always full of music both night and day, from northern soul, funk music, punk through to reggae and country and western.

O'Dowd plays with the masculinity evoked by building materials to explore intensely personal emotions including the anxiety and mental anguish he suffered during the 1990s which led to him spending several years in a secure mental hospital. His art practice serves as ongoing therapy as he connects with the unifying power of love to overcome his insecurities.

The diverse influences on his practice are reflected in the materials he uses which include nails, plywood, acrylic paint, oil paint, resin, jasminite, pencil, and film. These materials are used to create his work across a wide range of disciplines include painting, drawing, sculpture, digital art, short films, installation, poetry and song.

Drawn from his imagination and gentle meditation on unity and love, O'Dowd's work is a melting pot of spiritual graffiti, hedonistic abandon and Mother Earth’s powers of observation as she sings of mystery and togetherness. His aim is for the viewer to be uplifted by a spectrum of colour and light as the song of life gently vibrates in their soul.

Education

2014 Fine Art MA (Pass) East London University, London
2008 Fine Art BA (Hons) (2.1) East London University, London
2005 Foundation (Distinction) Bexley College, London

ExhibItions

2021 Beautiful World, group exhibition, Espacio Gallery, London (November)
2020 Out of our Minds, group exhibition, Hackney Picturehouse, London (March)
2019 Into The Light, group exhibition, Espacio Gallery, London (December)
2019 Music Makers, joint exhibition with Julie Bennett, Hackney Picturehouse, London (April)
2018 Open Open, group exhibition, Swiss Cottage Gallery, London (June)
2017 Open Open, group exhibition, Swiss Cottage Gallery, London (June)
2017 Art Auction 2, group exhibition, The Piano Room, London (May)
2017 Identity, group exhibition, Espacio Gallery, London (January)
2016 Art Auction, group exhibition, The Piano Room, London (December)
2016 It’s a Bit Vague Round 2, joint exhibition with Kevin Antony O’Dowd, The Piano Room, London (June)
2016 It’s a Bit Vague, joint exhibition with Kevin Antony O’Dowd, The Piano Room, London (April)
2015 Open Open, group exhibition, Swiss Cottage Gallery, London (June)
2014 MA Fine Art, group exhibition, East London University, London (August)
2014 No Barking Art Biennale 2014, group exhibition, Espacio Gallery, London (April)
2014 Synthesis, group exhibition, Trinity Buoy Wharf, London (February)
2013 If this, group exhibition, Bermondsey Project, London (March)
2008 Rave on, joint exhibition with Kevin Antony O’Dowd, Citizens Gallery, London (October)
2007 Asymptote, group exhibition, Red Gate Gallery, London (November)