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Joel Foster

Joel Foster's Artwork
















Artist Statement

   My artistic philosophy has long been based on limitation and economy.  The limitations I am talking about are those of a self-imposed nature i.e. limiting my color palette to a pre-determined few over the course of a particular series of paintings.  This simplification lets me see more easily the new elements that evolve over time.  Economy is just putting across what I want to say in the most simple and elegant way I can.

    Ironically, I have had a new limitation placed upon me that is not of my choosing:  sight loss and low vision.  I was diagnosed with Stargardt's Disease a couple of years ago.  As I understand it, this affects the macula or central vision, much like macular degeneration.  I can no longer read without visual aids, and most daily tasks are frustrating.

My studio is my safe place where I cannot but help feel that my work has actually benefited from vision loss.  I am looking forward to a dialogue with other artists with vision problems.

Biography
Joel Foster was born in 1949 in Northampton, Massachusetts. Largely
self-taught, his work ranges across many mediums: pen and ink, printmaking, painting and sculpture. His primary technical training was derived through working directly with other artists in the studio.
Foster printed two major color intaglio editions for publication for Swiss printmaker Claude Saucy and American artist Hank Laventhol.

The Laventhol edition was exhibited at the Frank Fidele gallery in New York City.
Foster also worked closely with sculptor Joseph MacDonnell for several years, starting with small models and then fabricating (welding) and installing large metal sculptures in public locations across the country.
Foster was given two years’ credit for professional and life experience
at SUNY Purchase School of Visual Arts where he studied sculpture (Tal
Streeter) and printmaking (Murray Zimilies). Other formative influences are the New York School of the ‘50’s, Russian Constructivism, Degas’
monotypes, Paul Klee and Arshile Gorky.
Foster has presented seminars at the Northwest Community College in
Winsted, CT.

Exhibitions:
One-man shows:
R. Mack, New Orleans
Optima Galleries, New Orleans
First National Bank of Amenia
St. Peter’s Church, Millbrook, NY
Kent Bridge Gallery, Kent, CT
Group shows:
Silvermine New England Annual Group Show
--Review with honorable mention by Clement Greenberg, N.Y. Times
Hudson River Museum Group Show
Katonah Gallery, group print show, print in permanent collection
Somerstown Gallery, group print collection
Bedford Historical Society Annual Art Show, Bedford, NY
Renova Gallery, Warren, CT