Robert Dowd (artist)

Robert Dowd (Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1936–1996) was an American artist, who then painted under the name Robert O'Dowd.

After his discharge from the U.S. Marines in 1957 he entered the Society of Arts and Crafts/Center for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan where he studied painting. In 1958-59 he began drawing common objects, including 'Stop' signs. His achievement first appeared in an Art in America article on the "Young Artists Group" in Detroit. In 1960 he moved to San Francisco and began work on his first images of postage stamps. In 1961 he moved to Los Angeles and began work upon his currency paintings. By 1962 he was getting attention for his arena breaking paintings of common objects. Around the country several further artists were experimenting taking into account this additional concept and in 1962 he was invited to put on an act his conduct yourself at the Pasadena Art Museum.