Gwyneth Dowdee
CV
My work explores the body through a constant effort to say something new.
Absurdity is the root of much of my work, where I often confuse, distort, or overdo ideas to reveal the irony within — for example, using textiles to cover a canvas in what appears to be mold, or sticking a seductive Polaroid of myself into a plate of meatloaf. I find the present day ultimately dooming, but my work creates a sense of play in which these ideas are channeled into something amusing. My art is always political; life is always political. With no escape from my own angst, my art allows consideration of something larger than myself.
With a foundation in dance, specifically classical ballet, my work is painstakingly considered, yet is found whole through instinct, risk, trust, and often embarrassment. A throughline is performance, where my own exposure becomes a means for me to confront the rigid nature and chaos of living in the digital age. I draw connections to gender, femininity, pain, pleasure, and relationships while being informed by the ever-present context of American Identity. Through the exploration of physical raw materials like plaster, fabric, and wood, alongside newer conceptual mediums like video, photography, and performance, these themes and materials are pushed to a breaking point, where they are asked to self-reflect.
Biography
Gwyneth Dowdee is an interdisciplinary artist currently pursuing a bachelor's in art at UCLA. Born in Los Angeles, with two artists as parents, self-expression and fine arts were a part of her early curriculum, and she spent many days as a child in art galleries. Gwyneth’s early passion was dance, with classical training in ballet, contemporary, and jazz; this experience now informs her work. She found her personal connection to fine art in late high school while volunteering for Resin Gallery's after-school program. After graduating high school, she studied art at Santa Monica College for 4 years to complete her associate's degrees, and there she found a tight knit community of artists that expands accross LA, together they have coompleted multiple group shows, and started a critique club where they hold eachother accontable to creating, interogating, and further growing as artists. She has now transferred to UCLA to finish her bachelor's. Through her education, community building, work, and dedication to art, Gwyneth has harnessed skills in sewing, woodworking, photography, video, welding, painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, and graphic design.
The Young Artist Society
At 17, Gwyneth Dowdee used her support at Resin Gallery to co-found an artists' collective for the wider South Bay area. With her two friends, the Young Artist Society was created and became integral in the community, creating an inclusive space for artists and musicians ages 15-25. YAS hosted 13 large-scale art and music shows, with Gwyneth as a leader in curating, organizing, marketing, and hosting hundreds of guests. The Young Artist Society also raised over 2000$ to be donated to G.L.A.D, Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project, and The Brigid Alliance.