Artist's Biography
Born in Czechoslovakia in January 1953, Joseph Frost is a realist marine and landscape painter in all media.
Joseph’s natural gift for drawing became apparent in his early childhood and sketching developed into his main hobby.
Joseph’s parents and teachers recognised his artistic potential and were anxious for him to pursue his interest academically. Joseph’s father was also a highly skilled artisan. Whilst at school, Joseph experimented with a number of mediums, mainly pencil, pastel and watercolour.
Joseph’s dreams to do things his way interrupted his studies and after deciding to leave his homeland he made a dramatic escape to Italy in 1973. Here he visited many of the art galleries in Venice, Milan and Rome. He also painted his first works in oil, which were purchased by the Slovak Catholic Institute in Rome. The Institute’s patronage gave him support, which increased his confidence and soon after arrival in Australia in 1974, he took up painting as a means of self-expression and survival.
After settling in Sydney, Joseph supported himself by working for an art
gallery where he leant framing and restoration and spent his spare time painting.
Living in Sydney was a great opportunity for Joseph to discover the beauty of its magnificent harbour, which he often used as a backdrop for his canvasses. Surrounded by the sea and harbour activity, Joseph gained a reputation as a successful marine artist.
After three one-man exhibitions of the romantic days of sail and present harbour-scape, Joseph changed track and in 1980 moved to rural Numeralla near Cooma, New South Wales. Early morning and late afternoon light inspired Joseph to depict serene mellow bush landscapes without the harshness of the noonday sun.
Later Joseph moved to coastal New South Wales and as well as continuing to paint both marine and landscape scenes, his repertoire expanded to include beautiful works featuring women walking by the ocean.
Describing himself as a “romantic realist”, Joseph has developed a unique style using the “contre-jour” (against the light) technique, combined with meticulous brushwork and attention to subtle shades of colour.
Studies:
Mainly self-taught; some time at W.A.S., Willoughby studying printmaking and exhibiting member of the Royal Art Society of New South Wales.
Exhibitions:
Solo shows at the Prouds Gallery in Sydney in 1978 and 1979; Barry Stern Gallery in 1980, 1981 and 1983; Elder Fine Art Gallery in Adelaide in 1982; Gould Gallery, Melbourne in 1983 and 1985; Noelda Arnold Galleries in Perth in 1986; Boronia Gallery in Sydney in 1988 and 1989; Seascape Gallery in Sydney. Each year, Joseph spends some months painting overseas.
Represented:
Corporate, institutional and private collections in the United Kingdom, Europe, USA, Tahiti, Japan and Australia.