Joey Korom
Chicago, Illinois
Artist Joey Korom’s background in art and architecture provided the foundation for his non-representational paintings. For decades, the language of abstract expressionism has played a prominent role in his work. His pieces often feature large color fields with “torn” edges, rough textures, and generous impasto. Collage elements also contribute significantly to the overall composition. Joey earned a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and is an accomplished artist, architect, photographer, and published author. He works from his home studio, a clean and organized space, and listens to classical or jazz music. He stores his finished works in an adjacent room—a three-seasoned porch that holds up to sixty pieces at a time.
Artist Statement
As a mid-career artist, I have chosen abstraction as my preferred method of visual communication. For over twenty-five years, my education and professional background in architecture have inspired my compositions. Intuition guides my process, followed by decisions about media, proportions, colors, textures, and execution. My art is purely optical, engaging the viewer’s eye and mind through the paint on the canvas, without relying on narrative or external associations. It is a rejection of contrived meanings or extraneous connections.
I draw inspiration from early modernism, particularly the abstract expressionist movement of the mid-twentieth century. The work of Motherwell, Frankenthaler, Hoffman, and Hartigan, as well as the compositional influences of Cubism, Constructivism, and the Bauhaus, inform my practice. Architectural masterpieces by Mies van der Rohe, Graham, and Wright also subtly shape my approach.
While my architectural training honed skills such as hand-drawing perspectives, sections, and elevations with precision, my expressive abstraction serves as a release from these rigid structures. This personal liberation manifests in works defined by underlying structure, seductive color, and a loose brush. Yet, the disciplines instilled by my architectural background remain a constant influence.
I draw inspiration from early modernism, particularly the abstract expressionist movement of the mid-twentieth century. The work of Motherwell, Frankenthaler, Hoffman, and Hartigan, as well as the compositional influences of Cubism, Constructivism, and the Bauhaus, inform my practice. Architectural masterpieces by Mies van der Rohe, Graham, and Wright also subtly shape my approach.
While my architectural training honed skills such as hand-drawing perspectives, sections, and elevations with precision, my expressive abstraction serves as a release from these rigid structures. This personal liberation manifests in works defined by underlying structure, seductive color, and a loose brush. Yet, the disciplines instilled by my architectural background remain a constant influence.
Artist Background
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Bachelor of Arts, 1989
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Master of Architecture, 1992
This artist is beloved by many collectors across the country, however they do not have any reviews here yet. Questions?