Joseph Kilrain - Fine / Graphic \ Martial Artist

Download bio/statement in (.pdf format)

View Gallery | View Website | View Events

iwantitall@kilrain.com | (646) 526-3128

 

Brief Biography & Statement

Born and raised in South Philly, PA. I learned art through my family, catholic school, and adventure.

While living in Philly inspiration came from comic books, trading cards, and grafitti. As I got older, my spiritual side began to shine through and the messages in my work became more associated with real-life situations.

My work can be divided into two topics, the whimsical paintings and raw drawings.

The paintings have 3 definitive subjects: family & friends, my personal adventures, and corporate America.

Living in a world that considers everyone guilty until proven innocent, I find myself at the forefront of adventure with many strangers. My life stories are full of fortunate misfortunes, blessings in disguise. In my work, I use bright colors and a fun artistic style to portray messages derived from these past memories. When viewers delve deeper into the paintings for meaning, the central themes – deception, greed, corruption, death, unity, perseverance, rebuilding, positive thinking, and faith – may resonate with them in a profound and personal way.

My raw drawings are solely based on my past moments in my life. The different scenes from my gruesomely sad and wildly insane childhood moments have created a work that is remarkable. Page after page, one can immediately feel the massive emotional undertow of the work. The first diary, entitled ‘When God was asleep’, resulted in a set of drawings solely in black and white. The follow-up diary, ‘When God was awake’ uses a wide array of colors. This diary speaks on moments of my life that without divine intervention from God I would not be the person I am today.

Download Biography & Statement


News

Join my group on Facebook and view my most recent news posts

October 2009
Joseph Kilrain will be participating in the 'God doesn't like ugly' Group Show.
Date: Friday, Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 7:00pm
Location: New York City, Church of St. Paul the Apostle
Street: Columbus and 60th Street
City/Town: New York, NY

June 13th - 14th 2009
Joseph Kilrain will be participating in the Figment Group Show.
Date: Saturday and Sunday June 13th - 14th, 2009 at 10:00am until 4:00 p.m.
Location: Govenors Island
Directions to Governors Island may be found here:
http://figmentnyc.org/2009/2009-event/getting-there/

Map close up: http://figmentnyc.org/map_figment2.jpg
City/Town: New York, NY

April 2009
Joseph Kilrain has been asked to participate in the 2009 AIPH Successful Alumni Group Show.
Date: Friday, April 17, 2009
Time: 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Philadelphia, PA 1610 Gallery
Street: 1610 Chestnut Street
City/Town: Philadelphia, PA

September 2008
Joseph Kilrain has been asked to participate in the 2009 Florence Biennial. out of 3,000 artist submissions only 768 have been selected, and only 20 of those from New York City.

November 2007
During late 2007, I was asked to be part of a creative group entitled 'Openings'. Openings are artists exploring the connection between their creativity and spirituality.

My role with Openings is to assist in critiquing other artists' works, organizing revenue building ideas, and allow my faith to render the purest forms of work.

With my first visual diary complete, entitled 'When God was asleep', I now am working on 'When God was awake'.

 

 

Artist Quote:
The World is full of inspiration, to notice is technique.

Links of interest:
Gigapixel Creative, Inc.
WilKil Art
United Creators
Openings