A small smidge about Joel...

Joel Richard Briggs, an esteemed fine arts painter living in Portland, Oregon, explores the intricate facets of human experience—sexuality, doubt, faith, embodiment, and shame—through the lens of magical realism steeped in religious imagery. Proficient in oil, acrylic, and gold leaf, Briggs seamlessly merges tradition with innovation, intertwining religious symbolism with contemporary figures to provoke dialogue between the traditional depictions of the Divine and modern human existence.

Influenced by Byzantine iconography, Jewish history, Hindu sculpture, linguistics, and late 20th-century English painters, Briggs' diverse explorations converge in his artistry, integrating depth and diversity into his visual storytelling.

Through his captivating oeuvre, Briggs invites viewers to a realm where humanity's essence collides with history, spirituality, and contemporary angst, weaving a harmonious dialogue between past and present on the canvas.