Bio
Joe Simpson is a figurative painter currently living and working in London. His paintings have been shown both nationally and internationally, including prestigious venues such as The National Portrait Gallery, The Royal Albert Hall, Manchester City Art Gallery and The House of Commons. Joe works primarily in oil paint to create realistic images that utilise the conventions of cinematography to present 'staged', fictitious scenes where time has been stopped and extended. He works on projects that create series of connected paintings with integrated themes and ideas.
Joe has completed several large scale commissions for prestigious clients, including a series of paintings for P&O, Standard Chartered and the Professional Football Association. His work is owned by notable collectors and celebrities. His debut exhibition 'Almost There' received funding from the Arts Council England and corporate sponsorship from Audio Technica.
Exhibition History
(*solo shows marked by asterisk)
2020
*SOME OF THESE DAYS, Virtual 'Exhibbit' Gallery
*ACT, Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery, Stockport
*ACT, Oriel Gallery, Theatr Clywd, North Wales
*ACT, Alfred East Art Gallery, Kettering Museum and Art Gallery, Kettering
2017
The Toy Box, The Civic, Barnsley
*Figure Painting, The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London
2016
Artists & Illustrators - Artists of the Year 2016, Mall Galleries, London
2014
*Joe Simpson - Paintings, ArtMoorHouse, London
Brave New Realists, Go Figurative, Hampstead
2013
*Across America, Reuben Colley Fine Arts, Birmingham
2012
*Musician Portraits, Royal Albert Hall, London
*Everything Is Electrified, Camden Town Unlimited, London
2011
*Musician Portraits, Pop-up Gallery, Greek Street, Soho, London
BP Portrait Award 2011, The National Portrait Gallery, London
Beck's Art and Music Label Competition, Shoreditch, London
*Almost There, Cooper Gallery, Barnsley
2010
New York, New York, Azura Superliner
2009
*Almost There, Waterside Arts Centre, Sale
*Joe Simpson, Cornerhouse, Manchester
*Almost There, Candid Arts Trust, London
2008
Accenture Corporate Art Loan, Accenture London Office
ArtMap Manchester, City Tower, Manchester
*Follow the Lights, Lowry Hotel, Manchester
Waterside Open Art, Waterside Art Centre, Sale, Trafford
2007
Bankley Open 2007, Bankley Studios, Levenshulme
The Grieve + Samaritans Art Prize, House of Commons, London. Jurors: Anthony McNerney and Camilla D'Arcy-Irvine
Blank Media, Zion Arts Centre, Manchester
Capricious (Degree Show), University of Leeds
Liberté d´Expression, Light Gallery, London. Curator: Sharmina Karim
Nationwide Mercury Music Art Prize 2007, The Hospital Gallery, London. Juror: Sir Peter Blake. Director: Dan Ford
2006
Liberté d´Expression Competition, Candid Arts Trust, London. Curator: Sharmina Karim
Gallery Redbill, Shotton
*Colourblind, Eleanor Winter's Gallery, Toronto
2005
Nationwide Mercury Music 'Art and Music 2005', The Air Gallery, London. Juror: Sir Peter Blake. Director: Dan Ford
*One By One, North, Leeds
2004
Channel 4 Self Portrait Competition 2004, National Tour (including Manchester City Art Gallery)
Bansang Hospital Appeal Charity Exhibition, University of Leeds
Gascoigne Gallery Painting Prize 2004, Gascoigne Gallery, Harrogate