“As over-zealous disciples asked Buddhist or Christian teachers on what they should meditate, they were invariably told: begin with nature…Many artists do the same, and Jo Dowers is amongst them…there is a kind of dialogue taking place between herself and the paint… Jo was describing that process where the inner being of the artist works with the medium. Training, technique, and practice are all important, but so is what we might call the soul of the artist.” Kevin W. Scott, Loving Art
‘A Sussex Garden’ Reflections of an Artist’s Year at Denmans Garden marks the culmination of Watercolour artist Jo Dowers’ year spent documenting the spaces at Denmans as our second Artist in Residence.
As the quote above (which discusses Jo’s work ) attests, her paintings have an uplifting and ethereal quality which produces a particular interpretation of Denmans Garden’s tranquil setting.
From pieces showing fine detail to that of a more abstract, looser style, the exhibition will reflect how Jo has chosen to represent the shape and texture so striking in the garden; the challenges of working in abstract and the central intention of evoking a memory of the place and spaces within it without relying on a literal representation.
Jo has exhibited for the National Open Art exhibition & Community Arts exhibitions at Pallant House Gallery. She is a member of the Sussex Watercolour Society and runs regular workshops at both Denmans Garden and Montague Gallery, Worthing.
For further information about Jo and her work go to jodowersart.com or @jodowers
Exhibition runs from Friday 3rd November to Friday 22nd December 2023 10am to 4pm – Free entry to exhibition in Midpines Café.