“Painting. Theatre. Animation. They’re all expressions of the same thing”

Joe Lichtenstein is a multidisciplinary artist who seamlessly blends the realms of painting, theatre direction, and animation. He constantly seeks to bridge these art forms, incorporating elements of each into the others and creating unique and captivating artistic experiences.

His animations breathe life into static images through old fashioned stop-motion techniques, transforming something still into something living, a "kind of theatre." This fascination with blurring the lines between stillness and movement also permeates his theatrical productions. In "Fiesta," he ingeniously closed the fire curtain, placing the audience directly on stage to create an immersive experience that mirrored the dynamic interplay of his animations. Lichtenstein's approach dismantles the traditional boundaries between performer and spectator, inviting the audience to become active participants in his artistic vision.

His exhibition "If Only We Could Talk," demonstrated his boundary-pushing approach by requiring viewers to engage with paintings in a more interactive and performative way, underscoring his commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and exploring the intersections between different art forms.

Joe has a studio in the Essex countryside where he is based.

“where does movement end and stillness begin? I want to find it.”

Photo by Rosa Lichtenstein