about Josef


MA: Information Studies, University of Brighton
BA (Hons): Graphic Design, Central St Martins, London
BTEC Diploma:  Art and Design, East Ham College, London

From London now based in Brighton I originally studied graphic design and illustration. I now develop my own visual art practice as well as undertaking design commissions.

My paintings are produced mostly in acrylic and are primarily figurative. These figures are constructed using scalpel cut board. The negative shapes from the cut outs are filled with painted texture making up the definition or expression of the image. This work has a certain physical depth due to the cut and layered elements within it. I often incorporate collage juxtaposing printed images with the deep painted texture. Possibly as a reflection of my design background I also like to incorporate text. My work sometimes has a playful element to it but invariably investigates deeper themes.

I have always always been concerned with human relationships framed by my own personal identity in my work. Childhood, black LGBTQ experience, outlines, cut-out figures, animals serving as metaphor for human conditions, texture; these core elements mingle with additional influences, from a fascination with stained glass windows to 1970's-80's underground New York club culture.

My paintings have been described as a body of work which is often quirky, decorative and highly colourful, but that often contains an undercurrent that disturbs the joke, pointing at deeper themes of race, class and sexuality which I guess points in the right direction. As a former DJ (hobby) who is still actively engaged in a digital Remix/Re-edit culture and who is passionate about underground disco music, some of my paintings pay tribute to that sub culture or are titled after significant songs. I must also pay homage to the one and only Ms Grace Jones who's outward freakishness at a time when it was less common for a black creative to be thus inspired me greatly as a visual maker.

I have recently started experimenting with using more three dimensional forms within my work.

Work has been shown in a variety of contexts (see below), and original artworks have found their way to many corners of the globe, including Japan, Singapore, Australia, Italy and the USA. 


Artist interview: Gscene Magazine August 2020 (pages 54-55)



Selected Exhibitions

2023 The Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London

2023 Network Rail: Station Art, London Bridge station

2023 The Garden: Metropolis Central, Brighton

2022 Enliven Brighton Art Trail: Public commission Brighton & Hove

2022 Conversations: BMECP centre/Ledward centre, SEAS, Brighton

2021 BreathTAKING (Oxygen): Main gallery Phoenix Art Space, Brighton

2020 The Discerning Eye London (online)

2020 Nexus 2020: Brighton Dome & PLUS X innovation hub, Brighton (also online)

2019 Windrush presence: SEAS, Brighton

2019 Riot! celebrating Stonewall: SEAS, Brighton

2019 Constructed Geographies IV: Colonnade House, Worthing

2019 Constructed Geographies III: Hastings Arts Forum

2019 Constructed Geographies II: ONCA Gallery, Brighton

2018 Constructed Geographies I: Devonshire Collective, Eastbourne

2018 Colour my world: Brighton & Hove Pride

2018 The other open House: SEAS, Brighton

2016 Inextricable II: Digital Diaspora series, Brighton

2015/6 Group shows: Brush Gallery Brighton

2014 Freedom to live: Pride Arts festival, Brighton

2013 100 Artists for World Aids Day, Brighton Dome, Brighton

2013 Crossing the Teas: Celebrating the artistry of Irene Mensah, Jubilee Library, Brighton

2012 Postcard Installation with ArTree Artists Group: Studio 106, Hove

2012 Work in progress with ArTree Artists Group: The Basement, Brighton

2012 PBK2012: Desert Island Books, Jubilee library 

2011 ArteTat, Brighton

2011 PBK2011: Silva Magna, Jubilee library Brighton

2011 ArteTat II, Studio 106, Hove

2009/10 PBK, Jubilee library, Brighton

2009 Contribution: Black history Month exhibition, Brighton

2007 Ostraka (open house), Brighton

2006/7 Brunswick Surgery, Hove

2002 Stoke Newington gallery, London

2001 Skylark Gallery, Southbank London

2001 Alternative Arts, Spitalfields, London


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