Artist Biography
Joseph Prine III was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and raised throughout the southern regions of Mississippi. In 2012 he joined the United States Marine Corps and served his time honorably before returning home to Mississippi. There, Joseph began his art career at East Central Community College. Joseph received his Associate of Liberal Arts with focus in Fine Art in 2018. After College, he studied abroad at the International Centre of the Arts in Umbria, Italy. In Fall, 2021, Joseph also received his Bachelors in Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Throughout his career in college he has participated in many exhibits through Mississippi, Chicago and Italy. Joseph focuses in all aspects of fine arts and art history, but dedicates most of his time to oil painting, drawing, and some sculpture.
Artist Statement
I am a Mississippi painter. My work examines the tensions and feelings of alienation between the traditions of rural Mississippi life, my time in the US Marine Corps; and the paradigms of modern civilian society. My techniques include mobilizing and incorporating traditional European Old Master visions and methods into contemporary painting and image making. Forming a uniquely contemporary Mississippi hunter’s personal reflection that is established in the language of ancient tradition. My first-hand experiences with death, love, hatred, and survivor’s guilt are the driving force behind all things I make. In my work nothing is limited, and through a deeply personal exploration of the struggles of childhood and adult trauma; I create works that take the personal to universal implications.