My ‘landscape-graffiti’ paintings explore the relationship between human activity and nature. I revel in working plein-air, composing love songs for nature in colour and light. But in the 21st century there is a paradox and bucolic landscapes to me, feel clichéd or naive. The bliss and purpose I gain from my relationship with nature sits beside the grief of solastalgia whilst witnessing its degradation. I layer urban and wild motifs to bridge and interpret this contradiction, presenting viewpoints of today’s ‘broken-beauty’.

Graffiti is the marker for the urban landscape.

From colourful murals to obscenities in toilets, it is both beautiful and ugly. It inspires respect and belonging alongside intimidation and alienation.

I’m an outsider to the city. I grew up chasing squalls along Cornwall’s rugged Atlantic coastline, where roaring breakers rage against jagged cliffs. For me, this brutal, free wilderness is akin to the visceral urban aesthetic. It is unapologetic and alive, a homecoming, raw, brave and wild.

For many graffiti is visual pollution, equal to debris strewn along a verge or shoreline. Somehow it embodies the best and worst of humanity. I love this paradox.

In my work graffiti’s unapologetic, rhythmic, geometry is a metaphor for our attitudes and behaviour towards the natural world. Scattered in symmetry and opposition to natural forms it conjures an abrasive and uplifting dance between urban anarchy and natural serenity.

Escaping the city is rejuvenating. My thoughts and feelings soar to greet the vast horizon and soak in the fresh air. It is my act of liberation, a journey into the heart of the elements in which I expose the canvas to all weathers and invite nature to sculpt my creations. Myriad dilutions of acrylic and ink work in harmony with rain, hail or mist. Whereas urban media withstands the weather, drying fast and permanently like rocks in a tide. There is a fragile balance. Sometimes I defy the elements and the paint dries at the perfect moment. Other times, it’s washed bare. Within these demanding, adrenaline-charged situations there is a beautiful space. It’s the eye of the storm, beyond time and self. Caught between success and failure, energy and poise, I surrender and the painting captures a magical, mysterious aspect of the living, breathing landscape.

Artist Bio

Joe Webster | ENUF, is a plein-air painter who works and lives in Devon, UK. His work blends landscape painting with graffiti. Born in Dorset in 1978, Webster grew up in north Cornwall. He studied with artist Carole Vincent for six years and earned his foundation degree at Falmouth College of Arts and BA Hons degree in Contemporary Arts at Nottingham Trent University. He deepened his studies with a Postgraduate Certificate in Art from Exeter University.

Webster layers viscosities of water-soluble materials to directly capture weather conditions. He juxtaposes traditional painterly techniques with contemporary graffiti hand styles to embed and superimpose human presence within the landscape. Webster’s work conveys a joyful celebration of nature while calling for a positive change in the current relationship between nature and humans.

Webster exhibits in the UK, Portugal, Singapore and Australia. His artworks are held in private collections in 13 countries. Discover more at https://joewebsterart.com/ and on Instagram / LinkedIn @joewebsterart