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Joe Caruso Makers and Shakers

Hallspace in Dorchester

By: - Jul 07, 2022

Joe Caruso
Makers and Shakers

with 
Digital Media and Projection by Callie Chapman

July 9 – August 20, 2022

Opening Reception  
Saturday, July 9
2-5pm

Artist Talk  
Saturday, July 23
2:30pm

HallSpace
950 Dorchester Avenue 
Dorchester, MA
617 288 2255


HallSpace  presents recent sculpture and paintings by Joe Caruso. This body of work was sparked by Caruso's interest in power figures and art forms that enable human beings to find their connections to the spiritual world. It all started out while he was walking through an outdoor flea market in Paris, and he discovered a small African sculpture from Benin. 

Several of Joe Caruso's sculptures are constructed from materials found on the street, trash bins, thrift shops, and packaging: items he acquired during the early days of Covid when art supply shops were closed and everyone stayed home. Caruso writes, "My sculpture [is] somewhat crude and primitive...." In Siri, Goddess of Technology, a life-size sculpture made with styrofoam, actual cell-phones, and an orange boa, among other things. The cellphones appear as windows in a strange robotic form, with digital media and projection created by Callie Chapman. In Cut the Bull: Covid-19 Misinformation, a ceramic sculpture made during one of his trips to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, Caruso incorporates ceramic tiles around a central figure with written messages like "Covid Vaccine Makes You Infertile." Caruso's work is narrative, he tells stories, and comments on social and economic issues. Caruso writes, "...I use the notion of power or spirit figure to explore some of the contemporary issues facing our society today, particularly issues of equality and self determination." 

Joe Caruso has exhibited at galleries and venues throughout Massachusetts, including Galatea Fine Art, 555 Gallery, Spoke, Laconia and FPAC galleries in Boston, as well as Western New England University Art Gallery (Springfield), and the Davis Gallery (Worcester). In addition, he has shown his work at the Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, the Boston International Fine Art Show (555 Gallery), the Boston Convention and Exhibit Center, Boston City Hall and New England’s Area Code Art Fair. In May of 2024, Caruso will serve as curator of an exhibition at the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, MA. 

Joe Caruso's art education comes from self-exploration and coursework with various artists. A former educator, Joe holds a BS degree from Boston University and MA and Doctor of Education degrees from Columbia University. He is a published author, a gardener and an Argentine tango dancer. Joe is a member of the Fort Point Artist Community and the Cambridge Art Association. He is also a founding member of the Artist Group of Charlestown and the Stove Factory Gallery and Studios. Additionally, he was appointed by the Mayor of Boston to serve as the Charlestown co-chair for Boston Creates, a long-range planning process to develop a blueprint for Arts and Culture in the City of Boston.



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Joe Caruso
Exhibition View, 2022

Gallery Hours
Friday + Saturday 12-5pm
By Appointment
Monday - Thursday

  • • •
    2022 Upcoming Exhibitions

    September 
    Kenneth FitzGerald
    October
    Peter Thibeault
    December 
    Maggie Stark

 

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