Rick Lowe: The Art of Community and “Domino Culture”

Art Rooted in "Domino Culture"

Rick Lowe’s paintings and drawings are deeply influenced by what he calls “domino culture”, a social and artistic phenomenon shaped by the game of dominos. More than just a board game, dominos creates a culture in the communities where it thrives. It blends the contemplative strategy of chess, the swift maneuvering of checkers, and the physicality of a contact sport.

For Lowe, the game is not just about competition, it’s about sound, movement, and interaction. The sharp clack of dominos slamming onto the table, the boisterous bluffing, and the shifting patterns formed as tiles are laid down all contribute to the game’s artistic essence. The style of play varies by region: in the South, dominos branch out into a cross formation, while in Greek and South American styles, they extend in a straight line.

Beyond the game itself, dominos serves as a space for education, an informal academy where knowledge is passed down by those who may not have access to traditional institutions but possess deep insight into social, political, and economic realities. Lowe considers himself fortunate to have been a student of these great, unconventional thinkers.

Project Row Houses: Art as Social Transformation

Rick Lowe is known for transforming communities through art. In the early 1990s, he shifted from traditional painting to an engaged, social art practice that directly addresses economic and cultural challenges.

His most renowned project, Project Row Houses (PRH), began in 1993 when he and fellow artists purchased and restored 22 abandoned shotgun houses in Houston’s Third Ward, a historically African American neighborhood. PRH became a pioneering blend of art space and community support center, offering:

Arts education for youth

Residencies for emerging and established artists

Mentorship programs for young mothers

Organic gardening initiatives

Low-income housing development

Lowe’s work has preserved the historic character of the Third Ward while resisting gentrification, ensuring the community’s voice remains central in its evolution.

Expanding the Vision: Social Sculptures Nationwide

Inspired by PRH’s success, Lowe has initiated arts-driven redevelopment projects across the U.S., including:

The Watts House Project (Los Angeles)

Post-Katrina rebuilding efforts (New Orleans)

A community market for immigrants (North Dallas)

His approach, often called “social sculpture,” has influenced a generation of artists, demonstrating that art can be both aesthetic and deeply impactful in shaping communities.

Rick Lowe: Biography & Recognition

Education: Studied visual arts at Texas Southern University

Current Roles:

Artist-in-Residence at Nasher Sculpture Center

Mel King Community Fellow at MIT

Exhibitions: Featured at institutions including:

Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles

Houston’s Contemporary Arts Museum & Museum of Fine Arts

Gwangju Biennale (South Korea)

Venice Architecture Biennale

Lowe has also led public art initiatives in cities like Seattle, Charleston, and Delray Beach, reinforcing his mission of using art as a catalyst for social change.