My work is driven by the desire to evoke a visceral, physical reaction in the viewer, bridging the gap between sight and memory. Working primarily in acrylic, I utilize the medium’s immediacy to engage in a rapid cycle of creation and erasure, layering color and line until a composition emerges that suggests a landscape. These are not specific places, but emotional topographies designed to pull buried feelings and past memories to the surface.

Parallel to my abstract explorations, I maintain an obsessive practice of charcoal portraiture, focusing on the powerful likenesses of Black leaders. Whether through the fluidity of paint or the stark contrast of charcoal, my goal remains the same: to create a space where shape and color collide to produce a profound, felt experience for the viewer.

An alumnus of the Montserrat College of Art, Joshua Wiles’s practice is deeply informed by the lineage of modern masters. Under the mentorship of professor Tim Harney, Josh developed a style that synthesizes the structural intensity of Alberto Giacometti, the vibrant color language of Matisse, and the atmospheric depth of Nathan Oliveira.

Specializing in acrylic painting and charcoal drawing, Josh balances a love for spontaneous experimentation with a dedicated focus on the figures of Black history. By leveraging the fast-drying nature of acrylics to constantly refine and rework the canvas, he creates pieces that feel both ancient and immediate. Based in Brooklyn, Joshua Wiles continues to explore how line and color can act as a catalyst for human connection and remembrance.