McDowell Bryson: “Vienna Was My Inspiration”

September 9, 2010

The Embassy of the United States of American to Austria will present the art of American artist McDowell Bryson at a private reception and exhibition on September 22nd for leaders of the Vienna art and business communities.

“Vienna has been my inspiration,” says the artist. Bryson and his wife, Adele, have lived in the city for two years and Bryson credits the people of Vienna and the lifestyle of Austria for his breakthrough into a new realm of creativity. “My art has changed completely,” he says. “The lifestyle and attitudes of the people in this city project an exuberance and eagerness to experience life that is reflected in my new work…adding a freedom and breadth of gesture that was previously lacking, both in my sculpture and painting. All of the art shown at the reception has been made here in Vienna.”

Bryson was trained in stone carving but has worked in a variety of media ranging from steel sculpture, influenced by the public art of Henry Moore and Mark di Suvero, to paper. In the United States, his work is represented in many private and corporate collections as well as museums. Internationally, his large steel sculpture, Whirlwind, is in Chase Plaza, Seoul, Korea, He has participated in exhibitions such as the Florence Biennale. His new work retreats from his roots in abstract expressionism and his interest in working with “found materials” and focuses on the basic act of creation and the creative process. He draws upon intellectual and emotional sources as diverse as Jackson Pollock, the scientific research being done at CERN and Austria’s own Hermann Nitsch to create a style that is uniquely his own.

Bryson studied art history and sculpture at Columbia University but chose to concentrate on his own studio work rather than finish his degree. He continued his professional studies at The Art Students League in New York and later, graduated from Empire State College/SUNY. As an arts administrator, Bryson was Director of the Visual Arts Programs for the Governor’s Office - Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and co-founded the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, holding the title of Director of Administration and Development.

The reception for McDowell Bryson is through the auspices of Christopher J. Hoh, the Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission. Mr. Hoh, who is also a composer, is known for his support of the arts and his belief that the arts are a link between peoples from different countries and a bond that connects differing cultures.

Contact: Adele Ziminski (adeleziminski@yahoo.com, Mobile: 0043-676 4950273)