Joseph Paxton

Biography

Joseph Paxton grew up in Wales surrounded by farmland, where from an early age he developed a close interest in the animal world. He graduated from a four year fine art degree at Newcastle University in 2005. He currently lives and works in London.

His work takes the living energy of the animal and expresses it through a representation which becomes a living entity in itself. Though figurative, the work is not always intended to be completely anatomically accurate; muscles and limbs are often depicted in such a way as to exaggerate a characteristic of the animal.

He attempts to create a more confrontational interaction between the viewer and the work by producing his pieces on a large scale. Life size sculptures of hounds instantly take on a much more real and threatening dimension.

Another way of expressing the physical behavior of the animal is through the use of materials. Quick application and a wide variety of spontaneous and bold marks transfer his energy into the work giving it vitality and flow of movement.

The artist wishes the viewer to feel that they are sharing the space with the animal. To create a work that bridges the gap between being in the presence of a living force and a three dimensional image is his main aim.