Joy Evenden

Joy is a British artist and art advisor. Her art has been exhibited internationally, predominately in Montreal, Shanghai and London. She depicts philosophical and cognitive science in her work, colouring the canvas under the discerning eye of a painter contemplating the turn of the century.

If you are interested in Joy’s work, please send all enquiries to je2120@sia.edu

LinkedIn: Joy Evenden

About

Joy’s art experiments with materials ranging from watercolour, acrylic, wood, clay and plastics. She employs unconventional materials in unconventional ways, for instance integrating machinery with oil painting. She is interested in juxtaposing the rigid structure of architecture and machines with a venerable tenderness, a psychological emotionality.

In her art, Joy seeks to critically examine how the philosophy of logic and emotions operate as categorical tools within art. She investigates the complex relationship between art and these philosophies of logic, considering how the logics manifest. She aims to create interdisciplinary art that crosses the boundaries between medicine, machinery, forensic science and art. Joy wishes to break the boundary between art and science. Many of Joy’s paintings incorporate architecture. The masculine math and logic are represented in this architecture, whilst a certain femininity is captured through loose brushwork and organic elements.

Currently, Joy is working on several projects. The first is work intended to depict the Covid-19 pandemic and history. She is creating an oil painting using traditional techniques such as chiaroscuro. Afterwards, she will place a glass box filled with ferroic liquid in the foreground. A magnetic circuit on the back of the painting will move across the canvas at the speed of the pandemic’s spread across the continent and in reference to chaos theory. To complete this work Joy is undertaking an education in mechanical engineering and attending robotics clubs.

Another ongoing project entails transforming a helicopter by breaking it down and filling it in with cross-sections of resin and wood panels. The resin will contain miniature clay figurines, flowers and marine life whilst the wood panels will be painted with portraits.

Lastly, look out for Joy’s upcoming performance piece about paradox and climate change. She will fill a gallery with fog and use lighting effects to transform the space and recall water. One room will be filled with ice sculptures and participants will be issued ice skates to visit the work. The next room will be filled with sand and visitors will change into sandals.

Biography

Joy grew up in an international context. Her ancestors are Welsh, and her childhood was split between the UK and China. She was fascinated by the contrast in cultural habits, society and everyday living. Her cross-cultural upbringing led to an open-minded spirit and inspired her to experiment with different subjects and styles in her own art.

Joy’s artistic practice is informed by her education. She currently studies at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art. She graduated from McGill University where she studied Art History and Philosophy. She believes her education provides the solid theoretical and historical context for her artistic practice. Working in a studio in China, Joy learned technical aspects and how to execute a variety of artistic mediums including painting, drawing, and sculpting.

Joy has trained under notable artists such as Roger Gill, Michael Major and Liz Rideal. She credits these artists in providing an understanding on techniques and delivery. Her most important influence is her grandfather, who was a famous mathematician and architect. He instilled an interest in science and logic. Her art aims to explore the boundaries between science/logic and emotion/desire.

Joy has received several prizes for her work, including Artist of the Year at Francis Holland Regents park, and first place in the ‘Wild’ category at McGill Visual Arts Society.