About Joe...
Joe Webb (b. 1976) is a collagist and painter based in Brighton, in the South East of the UK.
Joe Webb is best known for his hand-made collages that explore a broad spectrum of themes, from environmental and political issues to the deeper existential questions of our place on Earth and in the Universe. His creative process starts with carefully cutting out images from vintage magazines and books, which he edits and transforms into entirely new compositions. These artworks weave together messages, inviting viewers to reflect on their deeper meanings. Webb then translates these collages into oil paintings on canvas and limited edition silkscreen prints, which often sell out within weeks of release.
Since graduating from the University for the Creative Arts in 1999, Webb has showcased his work in galleries worldwide. Notably, he has held two solo exhibitions at the esteemed Saatchi Gallery in London, featuring his paintings and collages. His work has a permanent presence in the Saatchi Gallery store where his prints and originals can be found on display. His exhibitions have also toured globally, reaching audiences in Australia, Greece, and most recently, China, where his fanbase continues to grow.
Webb's oil paintings are highly sought after, attracting numerous high-profile and celebrity collectors over the years. His artworks have graced many album covers, most notably for the Grammy Award-winning band Tears For Fears. He has collaborated with prominent artists such as Dua Lipa and inspired Coldplay's music video for "Up and Up." Additionally, his designs have appeared on record sleeves for artists like Janelle Monáe and The Madden Brothers.
Beyond music, Webb's artwork can be found on book covers and in magazine articles. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including a special article in The Guardian newspaper, which highlighted him as an artist to watch.
Over the years, Webb has collaborated with various brands, creating private commissions and illustrations for commercials. His ability to blend thought-provoking messages with striking visual art continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
“Joe navigates a rich landscape with grace and humor, making nice with many recognizable visual pastimes. He plays them against each other in a way that puts different eras in dialogue, allowing characters to travel far from their 50’s Home Gardening Magazine roots to the far cosmos. He flirts with the themes of nostalgia and loss but ultimately composes lighthearted images that are in dialogue with today’s sampling culture, collapsing and hacking together sources from across the universe in fun and rudely jacked up color schemes.”
“I started making these simple hand-made collages as a reaction to working as a graphic artist on computers for many years. I like the limitations of collage...using found imagery and a pair of scissors, there are no Photoshop options to resize, adjust colours or undo.
My collages work to a basic rule of sourcing just two or three images... with these I can reinvent the original scene to communicate a new idea.”
Photo by @stewartbywater