John Dowie (artist)

John Stuart Dowie AM (January 15, 1915 – March 19, 2008) was an Australian painter, sculptor and teacher. He was born in the suburb of Prospect in Adelaide, South Australia, and studied architecture at the University of Adelaide, as well as painting with Ivor Hele and Marie Tuck. [http://carrickhill.sa.gov.au/australian_dowie.html John Stuart Dowie] , Carrick Hill (Government of South Australia).]

During World War II, Dowie worked in the Military History Unit of the Australian Imperial Force, and as an assistant to Australia's official war sculptor, Lyndon Dadswell. As a soldier, he was one of the Rats of Tobruk. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/19/2194381.htm?site=adelaide Dowie 'truly great South Australian'] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 19 March 2008.]

After studying art in London and Florence, Dowie returned to Australia. His work includes over 50 public sculpture commissions, including the Three Rivers fountain in Victoria Square, Alice in Rymill Park, the Victor Richardson gates at Adelaide Oval and the Sir Ross Smith Memorial at Adelaide Airport. He was nominated for Senior Australian of the Year in 2005 [ [http://www.australianoftheyear.gov.au/pages/bio.asp?pID=166 John Dowie AM] , Australian of the Year.] , and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1981 in recognition of service to the arts as a sculptor and painter [ [http://itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=869686&search_type=quick&showInd=true DOWIE, John Stuart] , "It's an Honour" (Australian Government).]

Dowie died on 19 March 2008, aged 93, in an Adelaide nursing home, after having suffered a stroke the week before. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/19/2194061.htm Sculptor John Dowie dies] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 19 March 2008.]

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