Joe Caruso
Makers and Shakers
Floor
01. Masculinity, 2021, clay, glaze, found objects, yarn, 19h x 12 w x 9d inches, $850.00
02. Be Mine, 2022, clay, glaze, varnish, glass hearts, copper wire, glue, 26h x 14w x 9d inches, $1650.00
03. Cut the Bull: Covid-19 Misinformation, 2022, clay, glaze, found objects, copper wire, glue, 28.5h x 10w x 6.5d inches, $1850.00
Wall
04. Armadillo, 2020, clay, glaze, 3.5h x 9w x 4d inches, $50.00
05. Bat, 2021, clay, glaze, 4h x 6w x 1.5d inches, $40.00
06. Alligator, 2020, clay, glaze, 2.75h x 7w x 3.5d inches, $40.00
07. Frog, 2021, clay, glaze, 3.75h x 3.75w x 4d inches, $40.00
08. Cat, 2021, clay, glaze, 6h x 4w x 5.5d inches, $40.00
09. Bear, 2020, clay, glaze, 5h x 3.5w x 5d inches, $40.00
10. Man/Beast, 2022, clay, glaze, varnish and acrylic, 9h x 9w x 5.25d inches, $450.00
11. Fox, 2021, clay, glaze, 5.5h x 5.5w x 2.5d inches, $40.00
12. Tortoise, 2020, clay, glaze, thread, turquoise stone, 6.5h x 3.25w x 4.5d inches, $75.00
13. Owl, 2021, clay, glaze, beads, wire, 7h x 5w x 3d inches, $50.00
Floor
14. Ancestor, God of Those Who Came Before, 2019, fabric, foam, insulation, acrylic, jars with pigment, religious icons, tennis shoes, felt pen, corrugated tubing, wooden carving, bones, Barbie doll, cardboard packing material, staples, glue, nails, twine, bar stool, 87h x 26w x 29d inches, $3200.00
15. Siri, Goddess of Technology, 2020, styrofoam, styrofoam insulation, spray paint, glue, corrugated tubing, rubber gloves, bubble wrap, wig, boa, beret, fake cigarettes, cell phones, cell phone covers, boxes, cables, batteries, plugs, jar covers, driveway reflectors, skeleton head, mask, 72h x 46w x 21.75d inches, $3200.00
16. Cyborg, 2022, clay, glaze, gold leaf, varnish, plastic tubing, marble, battery, led lights, electric wire, electric clips, plastic funnel, and jade piece, 13h x 10.5w x 5.75 inches, $750.00
17. Avatar, Goddess of Transition, 2020, found objects, acrylic, spray paint, encaustic, hydrocal, plaster, copper wire, twine, wood, screws, plastic beads, fishline, tubing, lotus leafs, skeleton, shells, bones, feathers, stamp, postcard, glass jars, leather, packing material, wicker mannequin, burlap, 85h x 21w x 37d inches, $3200.00
18. Goddesses of Mediation, 2020, clay, glaze, glass, 9h x 5.5w x 2d inches, 14h x 6w x 3d inches, 14.5h x 6.75w x 3.25d inches, $800.00 (set of 3)
Wall
19. Yellow Bird, 2020, acrylic, oil, burlap, amate paper, paper bag, plastic packing material, handmade paper, cardboard, glue on panel, 48 x 36 inches, $2000.00
20. Not Yet, 2020, acrylic, oil, cardboard, plastic packing material, colored pen, glue on panel, 48 x 36 inches, $2000.00
21. Miracles, 2020, acrylic, oil, bubble wrap, wax paper, handmade paper, burlap, styrofoam, glue on panel, 48 x 36 inches, $2000.00
22. Jester, 2020, clay, glaze, 14h x 9w x 9d inches, $850.00
23. Spiritual Road Trip, 2020, acrylic, oil, shellac, quartz, paper bag, styrofoam, burlap, handmade paper, glue on panel, 48 x 36 inches, $2000.00
24. Tongue Tied, 2020, oil, spray paint, felt pen, shellac, cardboard, styrofoam, leather, packing material, newspaper, handmade paper, wax paper, 50 x 36 inches, $2000.00
Floor
25. Amazon, God of Capitalism, 2021, styrofoam, spray paint, acrylic, glue, cardboard, tags, packing material, tape, photo, tax forms, stage money, fishing line, fake flowers, fabric, found objects, 81h x 35w x 43d inches, $3200.00
26. Cosmos, 2021, clay, glaze, spray paint, glue, acrylic, found objects, yarn, 25h x 10.5w x 10.5d inches, $950.00
Siri, Goddess of Technology
Digital Media and Projection by Callie Chapman
Makers and Shakers
A few years ago, I spent some time in Paris. One Sunday morning, I discovered that there was an outdoor flea market on the boulevard where I was staying. As I browsed through the various stalls, I discovered a small piece of African sculpture from Benin which I ended up buying. This piece renewed my interest in power figures and other art forms which enable man to connect with the spiritual world and the symbols embedded in those art forms.
In this show, I use the notion of power or spirit figure to explore some of the contemporary issues facing our society today, particularly issues of equality and self-determination. I work in three major areas, found-object sculpture, painting and ceramics. As you can see, my work is characterized by the use of a wide range of materials.
My sculpture, somewhat crude and primitive, is made mostly from objects reclaimed from the street, from bins on trash day and from thrift shops. My ceramic pieces are adorned with found objects as well. Materials in my collage paintings include paper and plastic products used in packages delivered to our homes on a daily basis. These were made during the early days of Covid when art supply shops were closed and we rarely left our homes.
These materials become a basis for new compositions. Placed in a different context and given new meaning, they undergo a transformation. This process of change is a metaphor for the human condition, something we can relate to as we pass through our own life stages and as we re-examine our values and set new priorities in the fast-paced, chaotic and uncertain world in which we live.
Joe Caruso Biography
Joe Caruso is an interdisciplinary artist who lives and works in Boston, MA. His art draws inspiration from ancient cultures and from contemporary life. His work explores issues of discovery, spirituality, time and transformation as well as equality and self-determination. Although he works primarily in the areas of painting, found-object sculpture and ceramics, he strives to integrate other art forms such as poetry, music, dance and media into his work.
Joe has exhibited at galleries and venues throughout Massachusetts, including Galatea Fine Art, 555 Gallery, Spoke, Laconia and FPAC galleries in Boston, as well as Western New England University Art Gallery (Springfield) and the Davis Gallery (Worcester). In addition, he has shown his work at the Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire, members’ shows at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, the Boston International Fine Art Show (555 Gallery), the Boston Convention and Exhibit Center, Boston City Hall and New England’s Area Code Art Fair. In May of 2024, Joe will serve as curator of an exhibition at the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, MA.
Joe’s art education comes from self-exploration as well as coursework with various artists. A former educator, Joe holds a BS degree from Boston University and MA and Doctor of Education degrees from Columbia University. He is a published author, a gardener and an Argentine tango dancer. Joe is a member of the Fort Point Artist Community and the Cambridge Art Association. He is also a founding member of the Artist Group of Charlestown and Stove Factory Gallery and Studios and was appointed by the Mayor of Boston to serve as Charlestown co-chair for Boston Creates, a long-range planning process to develop a blueprint for Arts and Culture in the City of Boston.
Animal Symbolism
Alligator
courage, survival, strength and bravery
Armadillo
pacifism, complexity, protection and safety
Bat
inner awareness, longevity, renewal and transformation
Bear
strength, courage, protection and patience
Fox
intelligence, patience, slyness, trickster
Frog
fertility, potential, prosperity and transformation
Owl
wisdom, knowledge, change and foresight
Tortoise
longevity, endurance, peacefulness, and patience