JOSH TAYLOR was born in Ridgewood, NJ in 1980. He grew up in Warwick, NY and graduated from Pratt Institute with a degree in Illustration. His influences include Egon Schiele, Japanese woodcuts, Early American Illustration, Anime, Comics, Cartoons and Cheesy Horror flicks. After spending years wallowing in the muck of freelance illustration and newspaper graphic design, Taylor decided to try his hand at exhibiting his work in galleries. Currently residing near Tampa, FL, he has been exhibiting nationally for a little over a year and is loving every minute of it. Upcoming plans for Josh include an on-going web comic called Bird and Girl, (which will be pitched to some major cable networks as an animation in the near future), limited edition hand made books, and many more paintings.

Josh Taylor exhibits his work extensively throughout the US and has been included in over 30 solo and group shows over the past two years.

STORY
The Horrifying Tale of the Tremendous Journey of Dingle Doppleganger     
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PRESS
Distinction Gallery Presents: “An Incomplete Theoretical History of a Dying Doppleganger Mulitverse”
New works by Josh Taylor – February 9th through March 1st

Distinction Gallery will continue their commitment of bringing the brightest talents in contemporary arts to the region by hosting another series of brilliant original artists. Starting with an opening reception on Saturday, February 9th, from 6-11 pm, the gallery will feature a showing by painter/illustrator Josh Taylor entitled “An Incomplete Theoretical History of a Dying Doppleganger Mulitverse”. The event will be celebrated with art, wine and the musical rhythms of Live Jungle Boogie Drum Collaboration. Josh Taylor will be present for this opening so we hope you will join us in experiencing this unique showing. Throughout this exclusive showing, please note that all 14 of the gallery artist studios will be filled with additional works from artists from around the country.

Josh Taylor has been refining his talents since he was ‘birthed onto a canvas’ in 1980 in New Jersey. Raised in New York, he was schooled at the renowned Pratt Institute and soon earned his stripes working in the trenches of newspaper graphic design and hustling whatever freelance he could find. Years later, the artist found his home in Tampa, FL and exhibits his work extensively throughout the US (both with solo and group showings). His work is character dominated, telling stories through series of works that act as a narrative, giving clues with the title of each painting. Much of his art holds onto a scratchy, illustrative style, sometimes reminiscent of the more art inspired modern comics. The large doe-eyed figures suggest a manga influence, but the edgy, pointy line style rubs the edge off most of the ‘cuteness’ typically possessed by those far east influences. All offer insight into the ‘Gastonian Universe’ which Josh will be expanding on more in 2008 through his paintings, books and a series of vinyl figures produced by Super Rad Toys.

What is the 'Gastonian Universe' and how does it pertains to your art?
Josh Taylor: The whole Gastonian thing is an attempt to organize my characters and interests into a cohesive universe with its own history and mythology. My process is kind of fractured and chaotic. I tend to get ideas and inspiration from just about everything so this is my way of trying to make sense of it all. It gives my characters a place to reside.

Can you offer some insight into the title of showing "An Incomplete Theoretical History of a Dying Doppleganger Mulitverse"?
This show is mainly focusing on the end of the Gastonian Multiverse; illustrating all possible realities within the Multiverse coming together and creating complete chaos. School girls with no hands floating in the void, weird creatures from higher dimensional space, deadly space spores, naked chicks covered in worms floating in space, rabid mutant sheep, tumors, etc. It has a lot to do with my own fears and my interests in theoretical and quantum physics.
Your work is very story driven.

Can you go a little deeper into that world, its characters, story arc and themes?
I’m an illustrator at heart. I’m always trying to tell a story even if it’s just with a facial expression on a character. It’s more small snippets of the subjects life than grand story arcs, though I do have a few recurring characters that come up again and again, like Dingle Doppleganger and the Johnson Sisters. For the show I'm going be doing little pamphlets and a few hand made books with the history, selected myths and legends. Eventually I’d like to do some sort of huge compendium with all my work and ramblings, sort of like a Lord of the Rings. A world with a really deep history and a sense that it could actually exist somewhere. 

Your website suggests you have some anti-government sentiments. Can you explain your position on government and art a little more clearly?
I’m not so much anti-government as I am anti-stupid government… or just plain anti-stupid. And people who don’t use their turn signals.

“An Incomplete Theoretical History of a Dying Doppleganger Mulitverse” shows February 9th through March 1st.

Distinction is a 7000 square foot building which houses a gallery and 14 artist studios ranging in size from 150 to 800 square feet. The Gallery features contemporary and cutting edge art work with a soft focus on Urban Surrealism. Distinction exhibits work by emerging and internationally acclaimed artists and is located at:
317 East Grand Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025.

Please contact the gallery at (760) 781-5779 if you would like high res images or to set a possible interview with any of the artists. www.distinctionart.com

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