"This early experience making art laid the groundwork for many of the concerns in my practice to this day."

Great artists make artists. And to prove that point, over 70 of today's greatest have contributed their work in support of Children's Museum of the Arts' Emergency Arts Education Fund, establishing utterly ambitious art programs in New York City schools that need them most.

Bidding for the online auction concludes Thursday, October 19 at 12 PM EDT. Bid now. Bid often. Bid here.

Below, meet auction artist Bo Joseph.

Bo making artwork as a child. Photo by Leonard Joseph

Do you have a favorite memory of making art as a child?

When I was between the ages of 6 and 8 I remember joining my father in the photo darkroom he had in the basement of the apartment building in which we lived. To keep me engaged while he worked on his own photos, he supervised me creating photograms from things I brought with me, like toys, natural objects from the yard or from nature hikes, etc. Watching the various stages of development and the seemingly magical translation of these silhouetted objects was enthralling. This early experience making art laid the groundwork for many of the concerns in my practice to this day.

What advice would you give to young artists who wish to pursue an art practice?

Ask yourself what you really know, what you have figured out for yourself, versus what you take for granted because you have been told. Even if this is a very small amount of knowledge, it is what is truly yours, unique to you, and provides the building blocks of what will make and keep your work authentic and original. Keep asking this question, “what do I know?” as you develop and it will keep you on track. 

How does working with children inspire you?

Children’s nearly perpetual sense of invention and discovery provides visual nourishment and is a great reminder of what keeps artmaking engaging.

Bo Joseph 

Untitled

ink and acrylic on paper

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