Joe Caruso
Artist Statement:
With references to the field of archaeology, my recent work, which consists of painting, sculptural assemblage and combinations of both, explores the themes of discovery, time and transformation. My practice also draws inspiration from ancient mythology.
In my sculpture, I use objects reclaimed from the street, from bins on trash day, from thrift shops and from my studio. Some are made of weathered wood or rusted metal, suggesting age and a time gone by and other objects are no longer needed, discarded and perhaps forgotten. They become a starting point for something new and re-emerge, transformed into fresh compositions, given new life and meaning.
Just as the archaeologist’s exploration involves destruction and reconstruction, the surfaces of my paintings and painting/sculpture combinations are worked and reworked over time, a process of applying paint and then scraping it off, digging and finally consolidating and solidifying when heat is applied. Materials in my painting practice include oil, wax, sand, glass, shells and minerals.
Sometimes I use shards of plaster, remnants from the sculptural assemblages. Some have impressions and indentations that remind me of fossils. The painting surfaces are rough and crude on the one hand and have a hint of sparkle on the other that call to mind weathered walls with flicks of sunlight. Lines crisscrossing the surfaces are dug deep and might be viewed as large drawings.
A third dimension is sometimes created by adding sculptural elements to the painting surfaces or by placing them on an attached shelf . These combination pieces are often wrapped in wire in the configuration of a grid resembling a window, inviting the viewer to come up close to discover the artifacts within.
With references to the field of archaeology, my recent work, which consists of painting, sculptural assemblage and combinations of both, explores the themes of discovery, time and transformation. My practice also draws inspiration from ancient mythology.
In my sculpture, I use objects reclaimed from the street, from bins on trash day, from thrift shops and from my studio. Some are made of weathered wood or rusted metal, suggesting age and a time gone by and other objects are no longer needed, discarded and perhaps forgotten. They become a starting point for something new and re-emerge, transformed into fresh compositions, given new life and meaning.
Just as the archaeologist’s exploration involves destruction and reconstruction, the surfaces of my paintings and painting/sculpture combinations are worked and reworked over time, a process of applying paint and then scraping it off, digging and finally consolidating and solidifying when heat is applied. Materials in my painting practice include oil, wax, sand, glass, shells and minerals.
Sometimes I use shards of plaster, remnants from the sculptural assemblages. Some have impressions and indentations that remind me of fossils. The painting surfaces are rough and crude on the one hand and have a hint of sparkle on the other that call to mind weathered walls with flicks of sunlight. Lines crisscrossing the surfaces are dug deep and might be viewed as large drawings.
A third dimension is sometimes created by adding sculptural elements to the painting surfaces or by placing them on an attached shelf . These combination pieces are often wrapped in wire in the configuration of a grid resembling a window, inviting the viewer to come up close to discover the artifacts within.
Artist Bio:
Joe Caruso lives in Charlestown, MA and works in his studio in South Boston. His current practice includes painting, sculpture and combinations of both. With references to nature, the field of archaeology and to ancient myths, his work explores the themes of discovery, time and transformation. Joe's sculpture is constructed from objects lost, forgotten or discarded while his paintings and painting/sculpture combinations are characterized by raw, highly textured surfaces that have a coarse sensibility with a lot of rough and sharp edges. They often incorporate materials such as sand, seashells, minerals, shards of plaster, dried plant material and pieces of fabric.
Joe shows his work regularly at Galatea Fine Art in Boston. His work has also been exhibited at other galleries and venues in Massachusetts, including members’ shows at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, and Atlantic Works Gallery, 555 Gallery, Spoke Gallery, Uforge Gallery and FPAC Gallery, Boston, the Boston International Fine Art Show (555 Gallery), the Boston Convention and Exhibit Center, Boston City Hall, South Boston Open Studios, and the WGBH auction. Joe's painting is included in Volume 34 of Studio Visit, a juried publication of Open Studios Press.
Joe holds a BS degree from Boston University and an MA and Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University. He is a former educator, a published author, a world traveler and an Argentine tango dancer. Joe is a member of the Fort Point Artist Community and is also a founding member of the Artist Group of Charlestown and Stove Factory Gallery and Studios and was appointed by the Mayor of Boston to serve as Charlestown co-chair for Boston Creates, a long-range planning process to develop a blueprint for Arts and Culture in the City of Boston.
Joe Caruso lives in Charlestown, MA and works in his studio in South Boston. His current practice includes painting, sculpture and combinations of both. With references to nature, the field of archaeology and to ancient myths, his work explores the themes of discovery, time and transformation. Joe's sculpture is constructed from objects lost, forgotten or discarded while his paintings and painting/sculpture combinations are characterized by raw, highly textured surfaces that have a coarse sensibility with a lot of rough and sharp edges. They often incorporate materials such as sand, seashells, minerals, shards of plaster, dried plant material and pieces of fabric.
Joe shows his work regularly at Galatea Fine Art in Boston. His work has also been exhibited at other galleries and venues in Massachusetts, including members’ shows at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, and Atlantic Works Gallery, 555 Gallery, Spoke Gallery, Uforge Gallery and FPAC Gallery, Boston, the Boston International Fine Art Show (555 Gallery), the Boston Convention and Exhibit Center, Boston City Hall, South Boston Open Studios, and the WGBH auction. Joe's painting is included in Volume 34 of Studio Visit, a juried publication of Open Studios Press.
Joe holds a BS degree from Boston University and an MA and Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University. He is a former educator, a published author, a world traveler and an Argentine tango dancer. Joe is a member of the Fort Point Artist Community and is also a founding member of the Artist Group of Charlestown and Stove Factory Gallery and Studios and was appointed by the Mayor of Boston to serve as Charlestown co-chair for Boston Creates, a long-range planning process to develop a blueprint for Arts and Culture in the City of Boston.
