JOSEPH CHOE

ARTIST STATEMENT

“I'm an artist on the autistic spectrum disorder, and my paintings are how I make sense of the world. My work is filled with bold strokes and vibrant colors--loud, unapologetic, and alive. I draw inspiration from the clash and blend of cultures that I live between: the highways of Americana, my Korean-American upbringing, the coastlines of the West Coast, and now the East. My canvas holds all of it--my feelings without words, nostalgia, and order in the chaos. To me, art holds a profound meaning and serves as a means of communication to the world around me. I discover beauty in capturing fleeting moments and recreate them through my unique perspective. By serving the community through my artworks, I hope to be embraced by others and bridge the gap between my thoughts and the outside world.”

BIOGRAPHY

The World of autistic artist, Joseph Choe, whose preferred method of expressing and conversing is articulated visually on canvases he paints. Interpreting the landscapes and the world around him, Choe uses confident brushstrokes and highly vibrant colors that represents the artist’s inner hidden passions in place of words. Evocative of impressionist and expressionistic method of transferring light and movement, Choe is able to capture a moment of a scene in ways that touchingly convey the emotive effect of atmosphere and place. Joseph Choe invites the audience to enter his world of visual wonder and engage in a unique dialogue to see beyond the surface.

Joseph Choe, a Korean American artist residing in New Jersey, was born in 1987 in Austin, Texas. Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Choe began expressing interest in art at the age of seven, demonstrating artistic originality and distinct style. In 2004, Choe learned under the renowned American artist, David Choe, who recognized Choe’s talent and helped cultivate his artistic creativity. He currently works at ACC studio in Tenafly New Jersey.

Choe has held exhibitions at Gala Art Center, ACC gallery, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco, Saratoga Library, Norton Gallery of the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto, World Mission Baptist Church, and Valley Church. Choe published three calendar series, each depicting biblical stories.

자폐화가 최요셉의 예술 세계는 그가 표현하는 방식이 캔버스에 명료하게 나타난다. 작가는 그를 둘러싼 환경과 풍경을 해석하여 내재된 감정을 자신감 넘치는 붓질과 다채롭고 살아움직이는 색상으로 캔버스에 옮겨 놓는다. 시간의 순간을 포착해 장소와 대기의 감동적인 분위기를 거침없이 전달하는 그의 작품은 인상파의 빛과 그 변화무쌍함을 묘사한 표현주의의 기법을 연상시키게 한다. 세상과 대화하기를 원하는 최요셉 작가는 관객들을 그의 경이로운 작품세계로 초청하여 대화하길 원한다.

최요셉 작가는 1987년 텍사스 오스틴에서 태어나 3살때 자폐진단을 받았다. 어렸을 때 부터 그림 그리는 것에 관심을 보이며 그만의 독특한 예술적 감각을 나타냈고, 한국계 미국화가 David Choe를 만나 그의 잠재적 재능을 개발하여 자신의 작품세계를 형성하기 시작했다.

현재 뉴저지에 거주하며 ACC studio (대표: 김호봉)에서 작업하고 있다. 그의 작품은, Gala Art Center, ACC gallery, 샌프란시스코 총영사관, Saratoga Library, Norton Gallery of the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto, World Mission Baptist Church, and Valley Church 등에서 전시되었으며, 성경이야기를 구성한 3번의 달력시리즈를 출판하였다.

｜EXHIBITIONS

2025  Solo Exhibition Invited: “Arts Unlimited,”

             Gala Art Center, College Point NY

2024  Solo Exhibition Invited: ACC gallery, Tenafly NJ

2023  Solo Exhibition Invited: ACC gallery, Tenafly NJ

2018   Solo Exhibition Invited: ”Conversing Visually,”

             The Consulate General of the Rep. of Korea in 

             San Francisco, CA

2016   Solo Exhibition Invited: Saratoga Library, Saratoga, CA

2013   Solo Exhibition Invited: “Bible Story-3”

             SV World Mission Baptist Church, Campbell, CA

2012   Group Exhibition Invited: “Beautiful Mind 

             Art Gala Exhibition”, Norton Gallery of Pacific Art 

             League of Palo Alto, CA 94301

2010   Solo Exhibition Invited: “Bible Story-2”

             SV World Mission Baptist Church, Campbell, CA

2005  Solo Exhibition Invited: “Bible Story-1” 

             SV World Mission Baptist Church, Campbell, CA

｜AWARDS

2006  Santa Clara County Young Artists Winner

             Selected as a permanent collection to the Santa Clara

             County Office of Education’s Student Art Collection

2004  awarded with Honorable Mention in “Yes, I Can” 

             Poster Art Contest sponsored by CA Council on 

             Development Disabilities

｜PRESS & PUBLICATIONS

2025  Article on the 7th solo exhibition in 

             Joong Ang Daily Newspaper

2024  Article on the 6th solo exhibition in 

             Joong Ang Daily Newspaper

2023  Article on the 5th solo exhibition in

             Korean Daily Newspaper

2018   Article on the solo exhibition at the Consulate General 

             of the Rep. of Korea in San Francisco in 

             Korean Daily Newspaper

2018   Interview with NEWSIS Korea