Emily Joseph
Painter
Bio
Formally trained with a BFA and MFA. The dormant years, from 1991 to 2021 I still painted, but did not exhibit. Tumultuous times but healing times. I am a survivor turned warrior. During the isolation of COVID I began to paint again and found a genuine newness and expression to my work. I found my voice in painting. The basis of my painting is color and interaction with planes to evoke an emotion. I do not dictate the emotion for viewers. It is their own interpretation. A black box is a black box, but draw a jagged red line through the box and it becomes an emotion. I have taught and lectured on drawing, basic design, Color Theory and papermaking. Works were sold and displayed at Memorial Art Gallery. Painting has given me the ability to escape and express myself in safe imagery. Lines give movement and scribbles could become a pattern to dances. The core of the work focuses on the use of color such as illumination, complimentary colors, and the subtractive method. Through observation, the juxtaposing of shapes and color create movement and emotions. Using various strokes, intertwine with planes and lines give liveliness to the painting and hint of its hidden message. Since Graduate School (Rochester Institute of Technology – MFA), she has followed T. S. Elliot’s Objective Correlative. This is a means of expressing emotion in art by using either set objects, a situation, or a chain of events. Through this method, the painting becomes that emotion. The choice is to do abstract painting, because it supplies the necessary tools allowing the portrayal of thoughts and emotions in work. In her work, she does not dictate the emotion found in the painting; but leaves it for the viewer’s own discovery and interpretation. This work subjective in nature, utilizes color to illustrate feelings, dreams and with each piece, there is an underlying core of darkness and a definite area of light. This draws the eye over the piece to core. The lines keep the eyes moving, while the strokes scream, “look at me”. The exchange between colors, lines and shapes tell my story.
Art has historically been used as a tool to break the silence on taboo and sensitive issues. Art can be a powerful and liberating form of expression, giving voice to those who have been silenced by society. It can be a powerful means of communication that breaks the silence and opens the way for a broader and more meaningful dialogue about the human condition. Artists can use their creativity to raise awareness, raise important issues and promote positive social change. Art can inspire hope and courage for those who have been silenced and offer an opportunity for healing and personal rebirth.
ACHIEVEMENTS
• Exhibit Designer for Historical Exhibits at RGH School of Nursing, 19th General Army at RGH, and Sonneberg Gardens
• Coordinator and Exhibit Designer for mini show cases at Bevier Gallery at RIT 1978-1981
• Guest Curator and Juror at Sibley’s Ward Gallery, Rochester, NY 1980 – 1984
• Visiting Artist at Inter-American University in San German Puerto Rico
• Guest Lecturer at Syracuse University – Color Theory 1984
• Guest Lecturer Roberts Wesleyan College, RIT, NTID (National Technical Institute for Deaf. Taught Art and Design and basic drawing
• Paintings were on loan to Memorial Art Gallery and GEVA theatre.
• Winner of Oxford Gallery Award in 1979 Finger Lakes Show
• Work is in permanent collection at RIT
• Designed exhibit and graphics for Non Profit groups.