Diving into the cosmos, stirring galaxies as if they were whipped cream, serving planet earth on a silver platter. Take your face off as if it were a mask to reveal the Universe inside you. Aeroplanes bombing sweets, bath tubs in the middle of the desert. Playing golf on the moon.
Joe Webb uses 50’s vintage magazine cut outs and makes silk-screen prints to create handmade collages. His originally surreal artistic operations forbid the use of Photoshop.
As a spontaneous, luddite reaction to drive away from his computer graphic work in 2012, Joe goes back to creating images in an ‘analogue’ form, and that’s when his artistic career takes speed.
Having fun with his collages, he unhinges a few details to reinterpret the initial scene through intuitive elements, succeeding to communicate new narratives. Different époques dialogue in a dichotomy between past, present and future. Timeless images, steeped with humour, satire and subtle criticism.
Joe’s works allude to messages in disguise – whether declared or to be deciphered little it matters – that frequently bear political connotations and tend to the exploration of modern issues such as climate change, wars, social inequality, cosmological theories. A careful observer will sometimes spot the presence of other reference inspirations such as Belgian painter René Magritte.
He lives and works in the UK collaborating with CCA Galleries and Saatchi Gallery. Some of his productions are given to support charities such as Peace One Day e The Big Issue.
Joe has also created an ad hoc album cover for 80’s-90’s iconic band Tears For Fears, and designed animations for British singer and model Dua Lipa.
His works contribute to a sort of social movement, where his images are shared by users online, sometimes becoming viral. Recently, Joe’s solo exhibition “Dark Matters” showcased in London’s Jealous Gallery has ended. Due to the fact he exhibits and sells his pieces internationally, I have come across his thrilling work in occasion of the Affordable Art Fair in Milan, after which I decide to interview him.
. . .
WHY
why and how did you end up in your career path?
I’ve always been interested in art from a young age I drew and made things. Adulthood made me forget this for a while… I’m glad I’ve returned to being a kid again and make art all day!
WHO
how would you describe yourself in a few words?
Not sure how to answer that – refer to my artwork, it’s a reflection of my personality.
WHAT
what is your source of inspiration?
The world we live in. Issues we face as humans living on a large rock hurtling through space.
WHERE
where do you go to when you need a break?
The pub, the gym, but not in that order usually.
WHEN
when and what will your next steps be?
I’m making large scale versions of my collages as paintings on canvas. I’ll be exhibiting them at 45 Park Lane in London in August.
**WILDCARD
if you were to make an artwork describing your vision of life which elements would you necessarily include?
The moon and stars.