Joe Downing Mixed Media Rawhide Painting

Joe Downing Mixed Media Rawhide Painting
This stunning mixed media artwork features overlapping rawhide secured with copper tacks, executed on both sides for a captivating visual effect. Each side is signed by the artist in the lower right corners.
Dimensions:
- Width: 18.25"
- Height: 20" (without base)
- Height: 26.75" (with base)
- Depth: 1"
- Base Block Dimensions: 12" Wx 4"D x 3"H (without stem)
About the Artist:
Joseph Dudley Downing, born on November 15, 1925, in Tompkinsville, Kentucky, grew up on a small farm near Horse Cave. A valedictorian graduate in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Europe during World War II, earning a Bronze Star for bravery. After the war, he attended Western Kentucky University, where he discovered his passion for art before pursuing optometry at the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.
Inspired by the vibrant artistic community and the Art Institute of Chicago, Downing's desire to paint flourished. He held his first exhibition in 1950 and later settled in Paris after a return trip funded by a war bond refund. While supporting himself through various jobs, he gained recognition after meeting Pablo Picasso in 1952. Downing's artistic style evolved towards abstract collage and painting, and by 1960, he was a full-time artist. His diverse body of work is held in prestigious collections, including the Paris Museum of Modern Art and the Smithsonian Institution. Additionally, Downing was an accomplished poet, earning the title "Poet of Color and Light" for his literary contributions. He lived in Ménerbes, France, for over 40 years, maintaining a studio in Paris until his passing on December 29, 2007, at the age of 82.