Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Curiel.
Raised by a single dad in a machismo culture in the center of a desert metropolis of drugs and organized crime, Joseph Curiel discovered the practice of art to be a niche of self-expression and escape. His parents and brothers, having suffered through various addictions, were primary influences in how he creates his visual art. Born in 1996, he experienced a generation of addicts in and out during the methamphetamine crisis of the Inland Empire. Determined to escape the vortex of banality in the stale desert, he moved in 2014 to North County San Diego to attend college and pursue a degree in Studio Art. Joseph’s desire is to have every element to consider in his life to bleed into his art practice. When he is not in the process of creating art, every moment is spent thinking about when he begins the process again.
Please tell us about your art.
Joseph works in many art practices. Before anything else, Joseph’s primary art influence was graffiti art on various structures surrounding the area in which he grew up. He practiced and perfected drawing letters in various shapes until he found his own style of textual art. When he was in high school, his art teachers provided him a way to explore more mediums. Illustration, watercolor, performance art, and resemblage sculptures were all new methods of design he was able to use in his practice. When he was able to attend college, his art practice then expanded to include professionally suitable acrylic and oil painting. In addition, printmaking also became a desirable skill to produce visual art. Joseph also is amply motivated to create a three dimensional world via animation programs. He can create scenes using 3D programs, adjust the lighting, manufacture a figure, and create his own world which is then transferred as an image to a traditional canvas or panel. The creation of three dimensional digital works is crucial to his art process.
Avoiding dwelling on the inevitable mortal fate, and the question of existence as complex conceptualizations not easily shared, the practice of art is Joseph’s means of communicating these abstract, convoluted expressions. A common theme in the history of art, memento mori is the constant reminder that we are temporary beings, and that the universe is infinite, both in time and in space. What Joseph wants others to take from his work is everything they’ve ever known and loved is going to be gone forever one day; everything on this planet and in this existence is completely meaningless. The world is abstract, and the mind is definitive. Reality isn’t reality; but what the mind creates. Joseph’s art is primarily a guide to remind everybody of the absurdity of life and to bring awareness to the little truths that are often forgotten. For example, the mere fact that our bodies are composed of billions of other little creatures working together oblivious of our awareness. You are temporary.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
In contemporary society, with all the media available to us and the competition to survive in an economically downtrodden environment, it seems that artists are a replaceable commodity and never ‘good enough’ for the public’s expectations. As far as political positions, most artists tie their artwork to their political alliances, but Joseph’s art is not tied to any political aspects, and national and international issues do not intertwine with the conceptual aspects of Joseph’s art practice. However, local cultural influence is a major part of Joseph’s public art practice. A Mexican-American, he finds solace in designing public artworks that reflect the cultural background of the area in which the art exists. Joseph’s public art can be found in Ocean Beach, Oceanside, Vista, Leucadia, and Fallbrook in San Diego County.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can see Joseph’s work on his website, http://josephcuriel.portfoliobox.me/, as well as his Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/curly_hell/ where he posts shows to which he contributes or curates; as well as his current projects in public art. You can support Joseph’s work by advocating for more spaces for artists; galleries, public art events, shows, and even voting for a budget in public art in your community. Because of rising costs in real estate and space availability, galleries are few and far between. Even a temporary gallery space is better than none. You can also inquire about availability of pieces he has available on his website. Joseph is also often requested for commissions due to his creative and unique style of painting and animation.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://josephcuriel.portfoliobox.me/
- Email: curieljoseph96@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curly_hell/
Image Credit:
“You Are So Perfect” “Edwards Enema” “Plethora of Putridity (Little Pinchers)” “Underwhelmed” “Crabfitti” “Abstrab”
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