Joshua Raffell Bio

Having left education with no qualifications, Joshua was supported by City Lit to discover his potential as a mature student and was awarded an Outstanding Adult Learner in Visual Arts Award 2007. He studied at Sir John Cass (BA Hons), where he was awarded the Owen Rowley Award for originality. Following an MA at Chelsea School of Art, he was selected for the ‘Young Gods’ show by  Zavier Ellis at Charlie Smith and Griffin Galleries in 2014.

He now lives and works on the Isle of Wight.

In 2023 Joshua has exhibited at Studio 1.1, London, Monkton Arts, Ryde, Quay Arts and Quarr Abbey on the island. He has been awarded bursaries by A Space Arts, Southampton and Isle of Wight Creative Network to explore clay and mosaic, mental illness and metamorphosis.  In 2024, Joshua had a Residency at ASPEX gallery, Portsmouth exploring poverty and aspiration (sic).

Artist Statement - Joshua Raffell

www.joshuaraffellart.com

Raffell is from a working class and canal gypsy background. His work refuses to fit into perceived norms. An outsider on the inside. A dyslexic and gay artist, Joshua takes inspiration from the intersection of identity, mental health and conformity. His work is radical and polemical, pushing the boundaries of self and experimentation that challenges the audience to question power and repression, especially class and sexuality. Joshua Raffell’s passion is striving for equality and fairness through sculptural and performance based activism. The lure of bright colours and slapstick humour make uncomfortable work accessible.

Key thinkers that influence Joshua Raffell include Mary Douglas and Faiza Shaheen.

Raffell’s current output is sculptural multimedia installation and performance. The raw aesthetic is like a low budget film. The performance brings raw emotion to the space. His process is organic and metamorphizes ideas and practice to an unknown place. Starting with recycled he works frantically to create images and sculptures. He then allows the flow of ideas, connected and disconnected, to create layers to the artwork, often crossing mediums. The work might be roughly hewn or intricately crafted.  The making process allows the subconscious to open and for a transformation of the work using surrealism to shred, tear and recycle the original into something new. The final piece does not attempt to give an answer but is an invitation to join an exploration. As the Senoi people ask following a shamanic dream experience, ‘Where did you fall to? And what did you discover?’

Key artists that inspire Joshua Raffell include Delaine La Bas, Pipilotti Rist, Hew Locke and Will Kurtz.

Richard Ducker said of Joshua’s work ‘it is as if the id has suddenly interrupted a polite cup of tea.’