Working studio in downtown Greenville SC.
Since 1985.
Joel Wilkinson Studio
39 Blair Street, Greenville SC 29607
ph: 864 235-4483
I tend to break away from representational imagery and employ shape, line, color, and texture. Works are paintings, drawings, and collage, with minimal assemblage on some of the artwork. Almost all paintings include details by various tools used to scrape and incise. Such markings are subtle qualities that tie the paintings together and are most evident upon close inspection. Subjects include landscapes based on the South Carolina upstate, and abstract compositions that often include biomorphic forms.
Also, the use of mixed media with scavenged wood and paper materials, and making pared-down sculptural objects is a personal interest. The final object is a physical thing that differs from 2-D art. I have always kept a keen interest in 3-D forms, especially ceramics, and this is my way of exploring beyond the 2-D practice.
Joel Wilkinson, b. 1958, Greenville, SC. Full-time studio established in 1985; studio located in downtown Greenville SC.
Paintings and Drawings | Selected Exhibitions
November 2024
Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA) — Art & Healing. Works by thirteen artist cancer survivors.
November 1, through December 18, 2024.
July 2023
The Artists Collective / Solomon Gallery, Spartanburg SC — Inked, Brushed, Rolled and Penciled: Collective Perspective: Seeing Outside the Box, Prints and Exploratory Artwork in Other Mediums. Featuring works by 16 Print Collective artists and three invited members of the Artist Collective.
April 2023
Lipscomb Gallery / South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville SC — Unmasked. An exhibition of self portraits with members and friends of the Contemporary Print Collective.
September 2022
Greenville Center for Creative Arts, Greenville SC — Unmasked. An exhibition with members and friends of the Contemporary Print Collective. After 2 years of an anemic social environment due to a challenging global crisis, privatization has trumped community in many respects. This process has been visually hallmarked by face coverings, which, while vital to public health, also represent the suppression of social interaction contributing to emotional isolation. In Unmasked, printmakers reintroduce themselves to society through self-portraits.
April 2021
Swamp Rabbit Trail, Travelers Rest SC — Curious Burrows, an outdoor installation of wooden boxes by twelve artists "celebrating life and new beginnings” using natural and repurposed materials.
October 2020
Upstairs Artspace, Tryon NC — With nineteen fellow printmakers of the Contemporary Print Collective's UNITY: 2020 Print Exchange Exhibition.
Upstairs Artspace, Tryon NC — With nineteen fellow printmakers of the Contemporary Print Collective's UNITY: 2020 Print Exchange Exhibition.
December 2019
Anderson Arts Center, Anderson SC — UNITY: 2020 Print Exchange Exhibition, with nineteen printmakers of the Contemporary Print Collective.
Anderson Arts Center, Anderson SC — UNITY: 2020 Print Exchange Exhibition, with nineteen printmakers of the Contemporary Print Collective.
October 2015
Dent Arts Center, Spartanburg Day School
Spartanburg SC — A World of Readers; Selections from the Collection of Dr. Thomas L. Johnson.
Dent Arts Center, Spartanburg Day School
Spartanburg SC — A World of Readers; Selections from the Collection of Dr. Thomas L. Johnson.
January 2015
Fine Arts Center, Greenville SC
The Ties That Bind, 40th Anniversary Alumni Exhibition.
Fine Arts Center, Greenville SC
The Ties That Bind, 40th Anniversary Alumni Exhibition.
February 2013
Wofford College, Sandor Teszler Library Gallery
Spartanburg SC — A World of Readers; Selections from the Collection of Dr. Thomas L. Johnson.
Wofford College, Sandor Teszler Library Gallery
Spartanburg SC — A World of Readers; Selections from the Collection of Dr. Thomas L. Johnson.
January 2012
Upstairs Artspace, Tryon NC Exhibition of paintings along with artist bandmates of the Fine Art Ramblers.
Upstairs Artspace, Tryon NC Exhibition of paintings along with artist bandmates of the Fine Art Ramblers.
September 2011
Pickens County Museum of Art & History, Pickens, SC Exhibition of paintings along with artist bandmates of the Fine Art Ramblers.
Pickens County Museum of Art & History, Pickens, SC Exhibition of paintings along with artist bandmates of the Fine Art Ramblers.
June 2010
Centre Stage SC! Theater, Greenville, SC One person show of thirty recent paintings.
Centre Stage SC! Theater, Greenville, SC One person show of thirty recent paintings.
March 2010
Upstate Forever Art & Conservation Celebration 2010 Saffron’s events hall, Greenville SC.
Upstate Forever Art & Conservation Celebration 2010 Saffron’s events hall, Greenville SC.
February 2010
University of South Carolina, Aiken SC Etherredge Art Center. One person show, Aiken SC.
University of South Carolina, Aiken SC Etherredge Art Center. One person show, Aiken SC.
November 2008
Greenville SC Chamber of Commerce Founders Circle Exhibition. Greenville Open Studios 13 founding artists exhibition. On display through January 5, 2009.
Greenville SC Chamber of Commerce Founders Circle Exhibition. Greenville Open Studios 13 founding artists exhibition. On display through January 5, 2009.
November 2008
Upstairs Artspace, Tryon NC “String of Pearls: 30 Years of Upstairs Art” invitation exhibition of artists who exhibited at Upstairs Artspace between 1978 and 2008.
Upstairs Artspace, Tryon NC “String of Pearls: 30 Years of Upstairs Art” invitation exhibition of artists who exhibited at Upstairs Artspace between 1978 and 2008.
April – May 2008
Artisphere Artists of the Upstate, Greenville, SC “First Annual Juried 2D Fine Art Competition.” Artisphere, the International Arts Festival of Greenville.
Artisphere Artists of the Upstate, Greenville, SC “First Annual Juried 2D Fine Art Competition.” Artisphere, the International Arts Festival of Greenville.
April 2008
Furman University, Roe Art Gallery, Greenville, SC “Red Dust on a White Shirt” a solo exhibition of paintings.
Furman University, Roe Art Gallery, Greenville, SC “Red Dust on a White Shirt” a solo exhibition of paintings.
March 2008
Fine Arts Center 2008 Alumni Exhibition, Greenville, SC. Painting chosen to receive first of two Director’s Choice Awards.
Fine Arts Center 2008 Alumni Exhibition, Greenville, SC. Painting chosen to receive first of two Director’s Choice Awards.
January 2008
Art & Conservation Celebration Upstate Forever, sponsored
by Whole Foods, Irene Morrah Fine Art and The Greenville News.
Art & Conservation Celebration Upstate Forever, sponsored
by Whole Foods, Irene Morrah Fine Art and The Greenville News.
June 2007
Art Current private group exhibition for collectors. Three artists: Catherine B. Labbé, Steven A. Chapp, Joel Wilkinson.
Art Current private group exhibition for collectors. Three artists: Catherine B. Labbé, Steven A. Chapp, Joel Wilkinson.
April 2007
Clemson University Friends of Lee Gallery celebration of Clemson University Center for Visual Arts.
Clemson University Friends of Lee Gallery celebration of Clemson University Center for Visual Arts.
January 2007
Art & Conservation Celebration Upstate Forever, sponsored
by Whole Foods, Irene Morrah Fine Art and The Greenville News.
Art & Conservation Celebration Upstate Forever, sponsored
by Whole Foods, Irene Morrah Fine Art and The Greenville News.
May 2006
Birchwood Center for Arts & Folklife Benefit exhibition and donation of painting.
Birchwood Center for Arts & Folklife Benefit exhibition and donation of painting.
April 2006
Metropolitan Arts Council “One Stop” exhibition of Greenville Open Studios tour participanting artists, during Artisphere International Arts Festival.
Metropolitan Arts Council “One Stop” exhibition of Greenville Open Studios tour participanting artists, during Artisphere International Arts Festival.
November 2005
Metropolitan Arts Council Greenville Open Studios juried exhibition in tandem with Greenville Open Studios tour project.
Metropolitan Arts Council Greenville Open Studios juried exhibition in tandem with Greenville Open Studios tour project.
July 2005
Upstairs Artspace, Tryon NC “Altered States” solo exhibition of paintings about the changing southern landscape, in tandem with “Space, Surface, Shadow / Interpretations by Tweleve Sculptors.”
Upstairs Artspace, Tryon NC “Altered States” solo exhibition of paintings about the changing southern landscape, in tandem with “Space, Surface, Shadow / Interpretations by Tweleve Sculptors.”
November 2004
Metropolitan Arts Council Greenville Open Studios juried exhibition in tandem with Greenville Open Studios tour project.
Metropolitan Arts Council Greenville Open Studios juried exhibition in tandem with Greenville Open Studios tour project.
June 2004
Upstairs Artspace, Tryon NC Grand reopening exhibition of nine artists.
Upstairs Artspace, Tryon NC Grand reopening exhibition of nine artists.
May 2004
The Blood Connection (blood donation center), Greenville SC. Solo exhibition of drawings.
The Blood Connection (blood donation center), Greenville SC. Solo exhibition of drawings.
November 2003
Metropolitan Arts Council Greenville Open Studios juried exhibition in tandem with Greenville Open Studios 2003 tour project. Forty-seven artists participating.
Metropolitan Arts Council Greenville Open Studios juried exhibition in tandem with Greenville Open Studios 2003 tour project. Forty-seven artists participating.
November 2002
Greenville County Museum of Art Greenville Open Studios juried exhibition in tandem with Greenville Open Studios 2002 tour project. Forty-nine artists participating.
Greenville County Museum of Art Greenville Open Studios juried exhibition in tandem with Greenville Open Studios 2002 tour project. Forty-nine artists participating.
January 2000
Furman University, Thompson Gallery Faces of the Upstate, People and Landscape of Upstate South Carolina. Invitational group show.
Furman University, Thompson Gallery Faces of the Upstate, People and Landscape of Upstate South Carolina. Invitational group show.
June 1995
Greenville County Museum of Art Invitational group show.
Greenville County Museum of Art Invitational group show.
March 1995
Palmetto Expo Center Festivale 95. Juror, Mr. William Bodine, of the Columbia Museum of Art. Juried exhibition.
Palmetto Expo Center Festivale 95. Juror, Mr. William Bodine, of the Columbia Museum of Art. Juried exhibition.
September 1991
Life & Hope: An Art and Text Slide Show collaboration by Jeff Sumerel and Joel Wilkinson in tandem with AIDS benefit with proceeds given to Amercian Foundation for AIDS Research, Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services, Aid Upstate’s Fund for Friends.
Life & Hope: An Art and Text Slide Show collaboration by Jeff Sumerel and Joel Wilkinson in tandem with AIDS benefit with proceeds given to Amercian Foundation for AIDS Research, Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services, Aid Upstate’s Fund for Friends.
August 1991
Pickens County Museum of Art Invitational group show.
Pickens County Museum of Art Invitational group show.
July 1990
Greenville County Museum of Art Invitational group show.
Greenville County Museum of Art Invitational group show.
Collections
Bowie Arts Center Collection, Erskine College; Federal Reserve Bank of Charlotte, NC; Fine Arts Center of Greenville County Schools, Greenville, SC; numerous private collections. Commissions include Bell Atlantic, Biltmore Estate Wines, Bowater Corporation, Ernst & Young, Health Information Associates, GTE, Michelin North America, Upcountry History Museum of Greenville SC, and others.
Bowie Arts Center Collection, Erskine College; Federal Reserve Bank of Charlotte, NC; Fine Arts Center of Greenville County Schools, Greenville, SC; numerous private collections. Commissions include Bell Atlantic, Biltmore Estate Wines, Bowater Corporation, Ernst & Young, Health Information Associates, GTE, Michelin North America, Upcountry History Museum of Greenville SC, and others.
Galleries & memberships
Dealer: Catherine Hayes Art + Sculpture, Greenville SC (2005-2009)
Dealer: Irene Morrah Fine Art, Greenville SC (2005-2010)
Gallery: Court Street Gallery, Pickens SC (2012-2013)
Gallery: Gallery of Michael P McDunn, Greenville SC (2008-2010)
Gallery: The Upstairs Artspace Gallery, Tryon NC (2004 – present)
Gallery: ArtStuff Gallery (Leah Mulligan Cabinum), Greenville SC (2000-2002)
Gallery: Red Door Gallery, Anderson SC (1995-2001)
Gallery: llyn strong gallery, Greenville SC (1993-1999)
Dealer: Catherine Hayes Art + Sculpture, Greenville SC (2005-2009)
Dealer: Irene Morrah Fine Art, Greenville SC (2005-2010)
Gallery: Court Street Gallery, Pickens SC (2012-2013)
Gallery: Gallery of Michael P McDunn, Greenville SC (2008-2010)
Gallery: The Upstairs Artspace Gallery, Tryon NC (2004 – present)
Gallery: ArtStuff Gallery (Leah Mulligan Cabinum), Greenville SC (2000-2002)
Gallery: Red Door Gallery, Anderson SC (1995-2001)
Gallery: llyn strong gallery, Greenville SC (1993-1999)
Memberships past and current:
National: Illustrators Partnership of America
Regional: Greenville County Museum of Art
National: Illustrators Partnership of America
Regional: Greenville County Museum of Art
Regional: South Carolina Arts Alliance
Regional: Contemporary Print Collective
Local: Metropolitan Arts Council
Local: Metropolitan Arts Council
Alumnus 1975-1977: Fine Arts Center, Greenville County Schools, SC (a tip of the hat to my local beginnings).
--end--