Joe Hemes
Connecting the earth and sky, birds are amazing spiritual creatures. Evolving for over 150 million years from their dinosaur beginnings, about 9,500 bird species live in every habitat. They pollinate, disperse seeds, scavenge, fertilize, create habitat and intertwine our planet with their migrations, while providing so much joy. Birds are critical to our planet’s ecosystem, but are impacted by human behavior and Global Warming. These future bird species are mythical possibilities for our changing world.
As I work from a conceptual idea, I add details and surprises informed by the characteristics of the materials. Over time, my pieces gather meaning, evolving a life and story of their own. Some of my LED lighted work have two aspects; compelling in the daylight and magically transformed at night.
My current work exposes the dark realities of climate disruption as it threatens our ecological and social webs. It is in dialogue with an understanding of the physical and natural sciences, with which I am fascinated. I believe that art can illuminate these issues in new and provocative ways.
These sculptures draw people in and asks them to consider their place in an optimistic re-imagining of our world.
Joe Hemes is a mixed media artist concentrating on sculpture and illuminations.
Joe grew up in Katonah, New York where he was influenced by the surrounding woods and waters, as well as urban experiences in NYC. At Montana State University, he received a Master of Architecture degree while also engaging in arts and ceramics. As an architect, he concentrated on daylighting in buildings and creative lighting design. Joe has designed numerous schools, cafes, barns, studios and other retail and public buildings.
Since living in Maine, Joe received an Individual Artists Fellowship Grant for Design from the Maine Arts Commission and was selected for Open Residency at Haystack School of Crafts. He won a national competition by co-designing a full-scale abstract sculpture of the six-masted schooner ‘Wyoming’ constructed in Bath at the Maine Maritime Museum. For over 28 years, Joe has designed illuminated sculptures for exhibits in numerous art galleries. He is often commissioned for custom designed illuminations in event barns, retail buildings, schools and homes. Recently, as an Artistic Director, he collaborated with Gulf of Maine EcoArts for two large, immersive exhibits concerning Climate Change: ‘Majestic Fragility’ in the lobby of Bigelow Laboratory of Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, Maine and ‘Darkness and Light in the Gulf of Maine’ in the Maine Maritime Museum.
Exploring nature daily and researching climate science has led to powerful, subtle and humorous insights on Global Warming, as shown in his most recent work ‘Future Birds’. By bringing attention to this crisis, he hopes to start conversations and encourage actions that will address our warming planet.
Joe lives in South Portland, Maine with his wonderful wife Lois and amazing sons Kyle & Eli.
