| He
undertook a variety of occupations in order finance his study of
art and, as a result of his dedication, was awarded a scholarship
to Newport Art College, in Clarence Place. He was also given help
and guidance by the locally well-known Newport artist Fred Richards.
During
the First World War, his progress was interrupted when he served
in the Royal Welch Fusiliers. After, he returned to Newport to
take up the career he so wanted. By 1926 Joseph was married to
Muriel Hughes with two daughters. Living in Morden Road, Newport,
Joseph started work in earnest as a professional artist with a
studio at 12 Chepstow Road. It wasn't long before his works were
exhibited at the Royal Academy, the South Wales Art Society and
The Royal West of England Academy (RWA).
Around
1939 Joseph moved to Weymouth. He quickly became involved in the
art scene there, and was closely involved in the setting up of
the Weymouth and South Dorset Arts Centre. In 1945 he married
Delphine Maybery - eldest daughter of another Newport artist,
Edgar James Maybery. From 1958
until the time of his death he lived together with Delphine in
The Cottage, Nottington Lane, Nottington a relatively rural area
on the outskirts of Weymouth.
Joseph
died suddenly on the 20th of March 1963 on his way to an arts
group meeting at the Arts Centre. His works live on, in museums
and homes, not only in the Newport and Weymouth areas but all
over the world.
Here
we are proud to bring you a selection of his paintings. The landscapes
are maybe biased towards the Caerleon / Usk Valley area - this
is how we became interested in his work and in the man himself.
Several of Joseph's watercolours featured in our ARCHIVE - and
we were surprised by the number of requests we received from people
asking for information about him. Our initial searches for information
resulted in very little, even Newport Reference Library could
pull up no more information than the only partly accurate description
in "Who's Who in Art 1927".
We
are very grateful to the individuals and organisations who have
allowed us to photograph their paintings and display them here.
Where acknowledgement is not given it is because the owner wished
to remain anonymous.
So
enjoy browsing through the works and reflect on the solitary figure
making his way to his chosen vantage point with his art materials.
We have heard 'stories' which do much to paint a word picture
of the artist - but these are always second or third hand. Until
we hear these 'from the horse's mouth' they will remain unwritten.
If
you can add to the information presented here, or correct any
errors, we would be pleased to hear from you. Finally, if you
own any of his works and would be prepared to allow us to add
them to this gallery on display to the whole world then please
contact us.
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