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Joshua Hagler, the young and enigmatic visual artist whose distinct style and perspective has
rapidly gained the attention of the international arts market, is returning from a six-month
residency at MIRA in Martignano, Italy. With “Perceptions of Religious Imagery in Natural
Phenomena” the artist will exhibit new works, a continuation of his concepts from Italy, at
101/exhibit in Miami, Oct. 8th 2011- Nov. 26th 2011.
During his time abroad, Joshua Hagler had two very successful shows in Lecce, Italy. For his
exhibition at Chiesa San Giovanni Di Dio, the artist experimented in visual and conceptual
symmetry, creating site-specific paintings, which referenced the baroque church’s classical
works in the original alcoves. For the second show, Joshua was among the first international
artists to exhibit in the newly renovated wing of Castello Di Carlo V.
In his paintings, sculptures, and computer animations, Joshua incorporates or distorts religious
motifs inspired by his Christian upbringing, building toward what he calls, “a long-term
apocrypha.” Twisting images, he has a preoccupation with destruction and decay, often
depicting abstractions of landfills strewn with bodily collisions and busted machinery. In his
works, one sees a curious struggle between the distorted human figures and the physical,
psychological, and theological debris that blends and bends within and without the flesh – with
results that are at once humorous and grotesque.
With “Perceptions of Religious Imagery in Natural Phenomena,” Hagler draws upon his sixmonth
residency at MIRA in Martignano. Having toured the Salento region seeking uncommonly
referenced historical works and obscure paintings and sculptures tucked inside it’s many
churches, Hagler borrows aspects from these hidden gems, incorporating them into his work.
Joshua Hagler has exhibited painting, sculpture, and installation work extensively throughout
North America and Europe. His next solo show “Perceptions of Religious Imagery in Natural
Phenomena” runs Oct. 8th 2011 – Nov. 26th 2011 at Miami’s forerunning gallery for contemporary
artists: 101/exhibit. This will be Joshua’s first solo show at 101/exhibit.
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