The career of McDowell Bryson has spanned more than four decades. His goal has always been to explore the basic act of creation, which he sees as abstract, while trying to find a way to incorporate intellectual and philosophical influences from contemporary society. This does not always result in a simple visual object.

Originally trained as a sculptor, Bryson was a carver of stone and wood but has worked in a wide variety of mediums ranging from welded steel to molded cardboard and found objects. He was recognized by critics Peter Frank and Dominique Nahas for the development of a unique style of wall-relief made of debris from the streets of New York that was plastered and painted, blurring line between sculpture and painting.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1938, Bryson was based in New York City from the early 1970's until he moved to Europe, relocating first to Ireland and then to Vienna, Austria in 2009.
while in New York, he exhibited with the Carlo LaMagna Gallery and took part in numerous group shows. His work is included in private and corporate collections ranging from The Virginia Museum of Fine Art to Chase Manhattan Bank. The latter bought a large steel work that it placed in Chase Plaza, Seoul, Korea. Hecht's Department Stores acquired several large plaster reliefs for its Washington, DC flagship location. Bryson has also shown abstract folding screens, made as sculpture, at the New York Public Library and, in 2003, represented the United States at the Florence Biennale in Italy. Prior to leaving Vienna in 2011, Bryson had the singular honor of having the Director of the Art Collection of the Austrian Parliament introduce his work at a gala reception and exhibition hosted by the United States Embassy to Austria. A selection of those paintings is on long-term loan to the US Embassy.

As an arts administrator, Bryson was Director of Visual Arts Programs for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Director of Group Sales for the Metropolitan Opera, and co-founder and Director of Administration and Development for The New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York.

Bryson studied art history and sculpture at Columbia University in the '70's and, in 2008, many years later, received his BA degree from SUNY/Empire State College. He has also studied at The New York School of Interior Design, The National University of Ireland and The Art Students League of New York. He is the published author of four books and numerous magazine articles. He has lectured at New York University.