Joseph Silcott


"Inspiration for my recent work comes primarily from Nature and in particular butterflies and moths and the folklore and mythology surrounding these insects, to produce work with a narrative quality.  I like the school of thought that butterflies represent the soul and also parallels drawn between their life cycle and that of the life, death and resurrection of Christ.  I tend to work in series and as well as interpreting butterfly myth and folklore, I draw inspiration from classical music, in particular the Papillons piece by Robert Schumann which attempts to capture their movement and flight, and Puccini's Madam Butterfly.  Nocturnes by various classical composers also, I feel, capture the spirit and characteristics of the moth perfectly.  I am also inspired by the Victorian obsession of collecting, preserving and presenting insects in boxes.

"My butterflies are created from collaged paper.  I really enjoy the process of collage, layering and texturing various elements from disparate sources and combining these to create a cohesive whole.  I use imagery taken from advertising as well as the rhythm and patterns of found imagery and wrapping papers which I then cut up to create a newly ordered image.  As well as their natural beauty I agree with the Eastern belief of butterflies as bringers of joy and being the essence of happiness."

Joseph studied at Liverpool Art School and St Martins School of Art, London.

Joseph is happy to undertake commissions.  Here's one he made for a special birthday - Life Begins At 40.  And here's a display in The Rowley Gallery window - Lepidopterae.

Solo Exhibitions

2019
The Lepidopterist's Lair, The Rowley Gallery, London
2007
Restaurant On The Green, East Dulwich
1992
London Ecology Centre

Two Person Exhibitions

2000
The Green Room, National Theatre, London

Group Exhibitions

2010
Butler Goode Gallery, Sydney
2009, 2008
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea
2008
Form, Olympia, London
Modern Works On Paper, Royal Academy, London
2007
Art London, Royal Hospital, Chelsea
20/21 British Art Fair, Royal College of Art, London
To Do Justly, To Love Mercy, Morley College, London
2006
Bookmarked, Waterloo
Dream Landings, John Lewis, Watford
2006, 2005
Christmas Show, Betty Morton Gallery, Brixton
2005
Zoo-A-Logical, Knapp Gallery, Regents Park
Brixton Open, Betty Morton Gallery
Alumni, Hope Street Gallery, Liverpool
Originals 05, Mall Galleries, London
2004
Bermondsey Open
Brixton Open, Betty Morton Gallery
1998
Woodlands Art Gallery, Blackheath
1997
National Print Open, Whiteleys, London
1991
Alter Images, AOI Gallery, London
The Exhibition, Illustration at The Guardian
Shop Window, AOI Gallery, London
1990
Beint & Beint, London
Top Drawer, Alexander Palace, London
Blenheim Gallery Open, London

  • A Map Of The Heart (GB) by Joseph Silcott
  • A Map Of The Heart (St Cirq Lapopie) by Joseph Silcott
  • A Pure Heart by Joseph Silcott
  • Allegiance (Copper) by Joseph Silcott
  • Allegiance (Gold) by Joseph Silcott
  • Allegiance (Silver) by Joseph Silcott
  • Beloved by Joseph Silcott
  • Bird-Song by Joseph Silcott
  • Blue Danube by Joseph Silcott
  • Butterfly Ball by Joseph Silcott
  • Butterfly Ball by Joseph Silcott
  • Butterfly Ball (London) by Joseph Silcott
  • Butterfly Ball (White) by Joseph Silcott
  • Butterfly Ball, Global Economy by Joseph Silcott
  • Butterfly Ball: London Postcodes by Joseph Silcott
  • Butterfly Ball: Union Jack by Joseph Silcott
  • Can't Buy Me Love by Joseph Silcott
  • Celestine by Joseph Silcott
  • Citius, Altius, Fortius by Joseph Silcott
  • Continuum by Joseph Silcott
  • Corona by Joseph Silcott
  • Corona - Argent by Joseph Silcott
  • Corona - Ideopsis by Joseph Silcott
  • Corona Esmeralda by Joseph Silcott
  • Coronet (Silver) by Joseph Silcott
  • Dazzle by Joseph Silcott
  • Ecstacy (Gold) by Joseph Silcott
  • El Pequeña Infanta Blanco by Joseph Silcott
  • Fiscal Ball by Joseph Silcott
  • Fiscal Ball by Joseph Silcott
  • Gesture V by Joseph Silcott
  • Gesture VI by Joseph Silcott
  • Gesture VII by Joseph Silcott
  • Gloriole by Joseph Silcott
  • Gloriole by Joseph Silcott
  • Gloriole by Joseph Silcott
  • Gold Bodycon Dress by Joseph Silcott
  • Gold Sheath-Dress by Joseph Silcott
  • Interstice by Joseph Silcott
  • Kaleidoscope by Joseph Silcott
  • Kaleidoscope (Blue) by Joseph Silcott
  • Kaleidoscope (Green) by Joseph Silcott
  • Kaleidoscope (Purple) by Joseph Silcott
  • Kaleidoscope (Red) by Joseph Silcott
  • Kaleidoscope (White) by Joseph Silcott
  • Kaleidoscope (Yellow) by Joseph Silcott
  • L.O.V.E. Love by Joseph Silcott
  • Lineate by Joseph Silcott
  • Lineate (Copper) by Joseph Silcott
  • Lineate (Gold) by Joseph Silcott
  • Lineate Aurum by Joseph Silcott
  • Lineate Spectrum by Joseph Silcott
  • Little Black Dress by Joseph Silcott
  • Little Black Dress (With Straps) by Joseph Silcott
  • Little Red Dress by Joseph Silcott
  • Love In Bloom by Joseph Silcott
  • Love Me Forever by Joseph Silcott
  • Love Songs by Joseph Silcott
  • Love Story by Joseph Silcott
  • Loveheart by Joseph Silcott
  • Madam Butterfly by Joseph Silcott
  • Mandala (Red) by Joseph Silcott
  • Mandarin Collar by Joseph Silcott
  • Map Dress #1 by Joseph Silcott
  • Map Dress #3 by Joseph Silcott
  • Map Dress (North West) by Joseph Silcott
  • Map Dress (South West) by Joseph Silcott
  • Metamorphosis by Joseph Silcott
  • Money Box (Halfpenny Version) by Joseph Silcott
  • Oculus by Joseph Silcott
  • Oculus by Joseph Silcott
  • One Fine Day by Joseph Silcott
  • Oscillate (Copper) by Joseph Silcott
  • Oscillate (Gold) by Joseph Silcott
  • Papillons by Joseph Silcott
  • Periphery by Joseph Silcott
  • Periphery by Joseph Silcott
  • Periphery by Joseph Silcott
  • Periphery by Joseph Silcott
  • Periphery, Argent by Joseph Silcott
  • Pilot by Joseph Silcott
  • Prismes (Gold) by Joseph Silcott
  • Rabble by Joseph Silcott
  • Rabble (Copper) by Joseph Silcott
  • Rabble (Gold) by Joseph Silcott
  • Rapture (Gold) by Joseph Silcott
  • Romance by Joseph Silcott
  • Soft Target by Joseph Silcott
  • Sospiri by Joseph Silcott
  • Speak To Me Of Love by Joseph Silcott
  • Spectrum by Joseph Silcott
  • Struktur by Joseph Silcott
  • Sweet Nothings by Joseph Silcott
  • Sweetheart Neckline by Joseph Silcott
  • Sweethearts by Joseph Silcott
  • The Butterfly Effect by Joseph Silcott
  • The Lepidopterist by Joseph Silcott
  • Token Of Affection by Joseph Silcott
  • Union Jack by Joseph Silcott
  • Union Jack Heart by Joseph Silcott
  • Whisper by Joseph Silcott
  • Winged Things by Joseph Silcott