‘For as long as I can remember, I have out of the town leaving empty concrete jungles that were
been scribbling, making things and generally being a joy to have on your doorstep as a kid. In a similar way creative’ Joseph tells me. ‘One of my earliest memories is drawing all over my parent’s wooden kitchen table which, as you can imagine, they weren’t best pleased with. From then on, I have always drawn and painted pictures. At school, Art remained my favourite lesson and this was complemented by the fact that I wasn't the most academic kid and felt more at home making a mess in the art department. As time has gone by this youthful fascination for art has developed into not only making a living but a form of self-expression and catharsis. It helps me explore my own relationship with our collective experience, art, and day to day life.’
‘Growing up in Gosport was so much fun. My playgrounds were old boatyards, creeks, and derelict naval housing estates. From the 80s the navy was pulling the creeks were like old graveyards, filled with the rotting carcasses of all the ex-naval and dockyard boats and hulks. Although Gosport wasn't really a creative place and I wasn't really surrounded by any creative types whilst I was young, the experiences of growing up here definitely helped shape my creative outlook and style.’ Joseph informs me.
‘My later teen years and twenties yielded far more in the way of meeting artists and other like minded people through Portsmouth and skateboarding. Although I wouldn't cite skateboarding as a direct influence, it has had a major impact on my life. Perhaps the street elements evident in a part of my work can be linked to this through a kind of proximity to the culture; as if through osmosis.’ Joseph insightfully says.
