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Lois Dodd - Shadows - Exhibitions - Alexandre Gallery

The Shadow of the Painter, 2008, oil on Masonite, 11 3/4 x 16 inches

Lois Dodd
Shadows
February 3 – March 12, 2011

The gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of recent paintings by Lois Dodd that focus on the motif of shadows.  This show will include thirty-five paintings, both small-scale panel pieces and larger-scaled works on linen, completed during the past five years in which shadows and their semi-abstract patterns are a dominant element in the compositions.  For over fifty years Dodd, a longtime figure on the New York scene, has painted her immediate everyday surroundings at the places she has chosen to live and work — the Lower East Side, rural Mid-Coast Maine, and the Delaware Water Gap.

With titles such as House at Dusk (2008), Blair Pond at Sunset (2008), and Shadow of Painter Painting “September Light” (2009) Dodd paints her subjects with an unsentimental, no-nonsense directness grounded in observation and simplification.  Writing in a 2003 review of the gallery’s first Dodd show, the critic Grace Glueck said, “translating the commonplace into art has long been the province of Lois Dodd . . .who celebrates the richness of everyday life . . . Simple as the work seems, it touches the transcendental.”  Dodd’s colleague the painter-critic Robert Berlind has said, “ One feels that she downplays detailed literal description not out of some modernist imperative, but as the Shaker hymn puts it, because she has ‘a gift to be simple’ and with that temperamental dispensation, ‘a gift to be free.’  She knows just when to stop – a sure sign of grace.”  Featured will be two new paintings in which the subject is Dodd’s own shadow on the grass, painting with an easel and artist’s materials, on a bright summer day.


Lois Dodd (b. 1927) studied at The Cooper Union in the late 1940s.  In 1952 she was one of the five founding members of the legendary Tanager Gallery, the first artist run cooperative gallery in New York.  Dodd is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and of the National Academy of Design.  In 1992 she retired from teaching at Brooklyn College.  Since 1954 her work has been the subject of over 50 one-person exhibitions.  This show marks her eighth at the gallery.  In May 2012 her work will be the subject of a traveling retrospective exhibition to be organized by the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City.

Installations

Installations Thumbnails
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with two paintings hanging on the walls, and wall text that reads "Lois Dodd: Shadows" on the wall to the left
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with one painting hanging on the wall, and wall text that reads "Lois Dodd: Shadows" on the wall to the left
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with wall text that reads "Lois Dodd: Shadows" on the wall to the left, and a small painting hanging on a wall in the background
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with wall text that reads "Lois Dodd: Shadows" on the wall to the left, and a small painting hanging on a wall in the background
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with one painting hanging on a grey wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with three small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with one large painting hanging on a grey wall in the foreground, and six smaller framed paintings hanging on a white wall in the distance
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with six small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with three small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with four small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with three paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with five small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with two paintings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with five paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with four small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with three small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with four small framed paintings on the wall to the left and one larger painting on the wall to the right
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with four small framed paintings and one larger painting hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with one small painting and one larger painting hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with three small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with five small framed paintings hanging on white walls, and one larger painting hanging on a grey wall in the distance
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with two small framed paintings hanging on a white wall in the foreground, and a larger painting hanging on a grey wall in the distance
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with two paintings hanging on the walls, and wall text that reads "Lois Dodd: Shadows" on the wall to the left
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with one painting hanging on the wall, and wall text that reads "Lois Dodd: Shadows" on the wall to the left
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with wall text that reads "Lois Dodd: Shadows" on the wall to the left, and a small painting hanging on a wall in the background
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with wall text that reads "Lois Dodd: Shadows" on the wall to the left, and a small painting hanging on a wall in the background
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with one painting hanging on a grey wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with three small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with one large painting hanging on a grey wall in the foreground, and six smaller framed paintings hanging on a white wall in the distance
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with six small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with three small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with four small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with three paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with five small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with two paintings hanging on white walls
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with five paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with four small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with three small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a corner view of an exhibition space, with four small framed paintings on the wall to the left and one larger painting on the wall to the right
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with four small framed paintings and one larger painting hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with one small painting and one larger painting hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with two small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition, with three small framed paintings hanging on a white wall
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with five small framed paintings hanging on white walls, and one larger painting hanging on a grey wall in the distance
Photograph showing a view of an exhibition space, with two small framed paintings hanging on a white wall in the foreground, and a larger painting hanging on a grey wall in the distance

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
Painting of a group of yellow flowers with a blue sky in the background

Sunflowers & Blue Sky, 2010, oil on Masonite, 14 x 19 3/4 inches 

Inquire
Painting of the shadow of a painter at an easel cast onto a patch of grass

Shadow with Easel, 2010, oil on linen, 48 x 54 inches

Inquire
Painting of a close up view of a white flower against a green background

Salvia Argentea II, 2010, oil on Masonite, 12 x 12 inches

Inquire
Painting of three white flowers against a green, grass-like background

Salvia Argentea, 2010, oil on Masonite, 12 x 12 inches

Inquire
Painting of an autumn landscape with a brown building on the left side of the canvas

October Field, 2010, oil on Masonite, 13 x 20 inches 

Inquire
Painting of a winter landscape, with a dark river leading to a tall evergreen tree in the center of the canvas, surrounded by snow

Brook & Tree in Snow, 2010, oil on Masonite, 16 x 16 inches

Inquire
Painting of a road surrounded by green and orange landscape, with a grey tree in the foreground

Blue Winter Road, 2010, oil on Masonite, 12 x 12 inches 

Inquire
Painting of a winter landscape with a brown tree in the foreground, casting a blue shadow on the surrounding snow

Blair Pond Frozen, 2010, oil on Masonite, 14 x 19 3/4 inches 

Inquire
Painting of a lush green garden, with eight nude figures throughout in various poses

8 Nudes in the Garden, 2009-10, oil on linen, 25 x 80 inches 

Inquire
Painting of an interior window with white curtains on either side, looking out at a green tree surrounded by snow

Winter Window, 2009, oil on Masonite, 20 x 7 inches 

Inquire
Painting of a brown building with a pink roof, and two bare trees in the foreground

Two Trees + Distorted Metal Roof, 2009, oil on Masonite, 16 1/8 x 10 7/8 inches 

Inquire
Painting of the shadow of a painter at an easel cast onto a patch of bright green grass, with the easel itself partially visible on the right side of the canvas

Shadow of the Painter, 2009, oil on Masonite, 16 x 14 inches 

Inquire
Painting of the shadow of a painter at an easel, cast onto a patch of bright green grass, with the easel and palette partially visible on the right side of the canvas

Shadow of Painter Painting "September Light", 2009, oil on linen, 32 x 50 inches

Inquire
Painting of a lush green landscape, with the side of a building on the right side of the canvas and pink flowers in the foreground

September Light, 2009, oil on Masonite, 18 x 12 inches 

Inquire
Painting of a house at night with three lighted windows

Night House (v. II), 2009, mezzotint on Rives BFK, 9 1/2 x 14 1/4 inches

Inquire
Painting of an interior window with a white curtain on the right side and frost partially-obscuring the windowpanes, looking out at a green tree

Frosted Window, 2009, oil on Masonite, 16 x 9 inches 

Inquire
Painting of two interior windows with a white curtain between them, looking out at a building covered in snow

Double Window and Curtain, 2009, oil on Masonite, 18 x 17 inches 

Inquire
Painting of an interior doorway, opening into a white hall with a window that shows a view of a white building outside

Door & Hallway Window, 2009, oil on Masonite, 18 x 11 3/4 inches

Inquire
Painting of two white buildings in a green landscape, with grey trees in the foreground

Buildings at Rockgarden Inn, 2009, oil on Masonite, 14 x 20 inches 

Inquire
Painting of a purple tree in a green landscape, with a white path and yellow and green foliage in the background

Barn Door View, 2009, oil on linen, 44 x 44 inches

Inquire
Painting of a radiant sun reflected in a pond, with dark green foliage in the background

Winter Sunset, Blair Pond, 2008, oil on linen, 48 x 52 inches 

Inquire
Painting of the shadow of a painter at an easel cast onto a patch of bright green grass, with the easel itself partially visible on the right side of the canvas

The Shadow of the Painter, 2008, oil on Masonite, 11 3/4 x 16 inches

Inquire
Painting of a grey building at dusk, surrounded by dark foliage

House at Dusk, 2008, oil on Masonite, 13 x 17 inches 

Inquire
Painting of a small white building in a dark landscape

Lit House, Foggy Night, 2007, oil on Masonite, 13 1/8 x 19 inches

Inquire
Painting of two stems of leafy, budding plants against dark green grass

Lily Buds, 2007, oil on Masonite, 19 1/8 x 11 inches 

Inquire
Painting of a purple flower surrounded by green foliage

Columbine, 2007, oil on Masonite, 11 x 10 7/8 inches

Inquire
View from the Bakery, Blairstown, April, 2004, oil on Masonite, 10 x 19 3/4 inches 

View from the Bakery, Blairstown, April, 2004, oil on Masonite, 10 x 19 3/4 inches 

Inquire
Painting of a group of yellow flowers with a blue sky in the background

Sunflowers & Blue Sky, 2010, oil on Masonite, 14 x 19 3/4 inches 

Painting of the shadow of a painter at an easel cast onto a patch of grass

Shadow with Easel, 2010, oil on linen, 48 x 54 inches

Painting of a close up view of a white flower against a green background

Salvia Argentea II, 2010, oil on Masonite, 12 x 12 inches

Painting of three white flowers against a green, grass-like background

Salvia Argentea, 2010, oil on Masonite, 12 x 12 inches

Painting of an autumn landscape with a brown building on the left side of the canvas

October Field, 2010, oil on Masonite, 13 x 20 inches 

Painting of a winter landscape, with a dark river leading to a tall evergreen tree in the center of the canvas, surrounded by snow

Brook & Tree in Snow, 2010, oil on Masonite, 16 x 16 inches

Painting of a road surrounded by green and orange landscape, with a grey tree in the foreground

Blue Winter Road, 2010, oil on Masonite, 12 x 12 inches 

Painting of a winter landscape with a brown tree in the foreground, casting a blue shadow on the surrounding snow

Blair Pond Frozen, 2010, oil on Masonite, 14 x 19 3/4 inches 

Painting of a lush green garden, with eight nude figures throughout in various poses

8 Nudes in the Garden, 2009-10, oil on linen, 25 x 80 inches 

Painting of an interior window with white curtains on either side, looking out at a green tree surrounded by snow

Winter Window, 2009, oil on Masonite, 20 x 7 inches 

Painting of a brown building with a pink roof, and two bare trees in the foreground

Two Trees + Distorted Metal Roof, 2009, oil on Masonite, 16 1/8 x 10 7/8 inches 

Painting of the shadow of a painter at an easel cast onto a patch of bright green grass, with the easel itself partially visible on the right side of the canvas

Shadow of the Painter, 2009, oil on Masonite, 16 x 14 inches 

Painting of the shadow of a painter at an easel, cast onto a patch of bright green grass, with the easel and palette partially visible on the right side of the canvas

Shadow of Painter Painting "September Light", 2009, oil on linen, 32 x 50 inches

Painting of a lush green landscape, with the side of a building on the right side of the canvas and pink flowers in the foreground

September Light, 2009, oil on Masonite, 18 x 12 inches 

Painting of a house at night with three lighted windows

Night House (v. II), 2009, mezzotint on Rives BFK, 9 1/2 x 14 1/4 inches

Painting of an interior window with a white curtain on the right side and frost partially-obscuring the windowpanes, looking out at a green tree

Frosted Window, 2009, oil on Masonite, 16 x 9 inches 

Painting of two interior windows with a white curtain between them, looking out at a building covered in snow

Double Window and Curtain, 2009, oil on Masonite, 18 x 17 inches 

Painting of an interior doorway, opening into a white hall with a window that shows a view of a white building outside

Door & Hallway Window, 2009, oil on Masonite, 18 x 11 3/4 inches

Painting of two white buildings in a green landscape, with grey trees in the foreground

Buildings at Rockgarden Inn, 2009, oil on Masonite, 14 x 20 inches 

Painting of a purple tree in a green landscape, with a white path and yellow and green foliage in the background

Barn Door View, 2009, oil on linen, 44 x 44 inches

Painting of a radiant sun reflected in a pond, with dark green foliage in the background

Winter Sunset, Blair Pond, 2008, oil on linen, 48 x 52 inches 

Painting of the shadow of a painter at an easel cast onto a patch of bright green grass, with the easel itself partially visible on the right side of the canvas

The Shadow of the Painter, 2008, oil on Masonite, 11 3/4 x 16 inches

Painting of a grey building at dusk, surrounded by dark foliage

House at Dusk, 2008, oil on Masonite, 13 x 17 inches 

Painting of a small white building in a dark landscape

Lit House, Foggy Night, 2007, oil on Masonite, 13 1/8 x 19 inches

Painting of two stems of leafy, budding plants against dark green grass

Lily Buds, 2007, oil on Masonite, 19 1/8 x 11 inches 

Painting of a purple flower surrounded by green foliage

Columbine, 2007, oil on Masonite, 11 x 10 7/8 inches

View from the Bakery, Blairstown, April, 2004, oil on Masonite, 10 x 19 3/4 inches 

View from the Bakery, Blairstown, April, 2004, oil on Masonite, 10 x 19 3/4 inches