Joe Tilson Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Joe
Tilson

Joe Tilson's innovative approach to printmaking and his vibrant exploration of colour and form have established him as a key figure in the British Pop Art movement. If you're looking for original Joe Tilson prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network's most in-demand works.

Biography

Joe Tilson, born on 24 August 1928 in London, England, emerged as a key figure in the Post-War British art scene. He became a prominent player in the British Pop Art movement during the 1960s, alongside contemporaries including Peter Blake and Richard Hamilton.

After working as a carpenter and serving in the Royal Air Force, Tilson pursued formal art education at St Martin's School of Art and the Royal College of Art.

Winning the Rome Prize in 1955 encouraged Tilson to immerse himself in Italian culture, which shaped his art. This period marked a transition in his work, leading him to explore abstraction and vibrant colour.

Tilson's career is marked by significant milestones in his artistic evolution. His early works included relief sculptures that combined wood and paint, creating dynamic, tactile forms.

One of his print series, The Stones of Venice, showcases his interest in architecture and the interplay of light and shadow. His prints are characterised by bold colours and geometric patterns, which echo the vibrancy of the Pop Art movement.

Tilson's works have been exhibited at several prestigious venues including the Tate and the Royal Academy. His continuous exploration of new mediums and techniques has cemented his place within the Contemporary Art landscape.

Tilson's early work reflects his fascination with the dynamic, consumer-driven landscape of the modern city. Drawing inspiration from mass media, advertising, and cinema, Tilson captured the essence of urban life by integrating elements like neon signs and commercial imagery into his art. This engagement with the “transient, mass-produced dreamworld” of city life underscores his Pop Art sensibilities, blending the ephemeral nature of consumer culture with a rigorous formal approach.
The Fire Air Water Earth exhibition at Marlborough Graphics showcases nine of Tilson's prints from the 1970s, which reflect the artist's engagement with natural elements and cycles. These prints mark Tilson’s shift from London to the countryside of Wiltshire and Tuscany, where he began exploring environmental and philosophical themes. Inspired by his research into Australian Aboriginal history, alchemical studies by Carl Jung, and poetry by W. B. Yeats and Rainer Maria Rilke, Tilson's work in this period demonstrates an interest in the “four elements of imaginative experience”. This exploration diverges from his earlier Pop Art influences, leading him to create artworks that delve into the interconnectedness of nature, time, and the human experience.
Tilson's printmaking practice is defined by his bold use of unconventional materials and techniques. His work often incorporates elements like collaged photography, string, metallic leaf, and natural materials, introducing a tactile, sculptural quality. This approach reflects Tilson’s shift from graphic art to a multi-dimensional exploration of form and texture. By experimenting with these varied materials, Tilson creates prints that resonate with ecological themes and offer a sensory experience, underscoring his commitment to the intersection of art, nature, and symbolism.

Joe
Tilson