Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Seeman
Hi Joey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I’m originally from Miami, FL. I moved to South Beach after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 to focus on painting and finding galleries to show in. I’d become friends with the artist Tomatâ du Plenty (former lead singer of first-generation L.A. punk band The Screamers), who was already involved in the burgeoning art scene starting to form at that time. We staged a number of shows together and I credit him with getting me started in the art scene.
This was a period before South Beach exploded on a national level. In the early 90s, it was cheap rents, Jewish retirees, artists, drag queens, models, recently arrived Cuban refugees from the Mariel Boatlift, and the occasional celebrity (Madonna, Mickey Rourke) all set against a crumbling pastel Art Deco background. I showed my paintings primarily at a space called The Gallery of the Unknown Artist, but also took every opportunity to show at bars, clubs, and other alternative spaces. I started getting some press and was featured in Art Alternatives, SPIN, and Juxtapoz magazines. I met the designer Anna Sui on a trip to New York, and she commissioned me to design a shirt for her Spring 95 line.
I moved to Dallas in 1996 to study Computer Animation at the Art Institute of Dallas. After working as a 3D animator for five years, I switched careers to graphic design, which I still do professionally. My first art show was at Jason Cohen’s Forbidden Gallery in Exposition Park. The next few shows were at Justine’s Milam Gallery off Knox-Henderson, and I’ve stayed active since then.
I started DJing in 2014 at Single Wide on Lower Greenville. After Covid, we switched the night to Double Wide. My monthly DJ night is called Lipstick n’ Leather; I play 80s hair metal and hard rock. I also DJ pretty frequently at the House of Blues and the Echo Lounge.
In 2023, I co-wrote and designed my first book, Punk Under the Sun – 80s Punk and New Wave in South Florida, published by Hozac Books. My co-writer Chris Potash and I launched at the Miami Book Fair, where we were invited to host a panel discussion that was standing-room only.
So…that probably wasn’t brief…but I am a painter, graphic designer, DJ, and author.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The obstacles I’ve encountered in Dallas, I’d say, are a general lack of galleries/ support for up-and-coming artists who don’t fall into the mainstream. There are a ton of exceptional visual artists here, but there’s no support system: galleries, press, etc., to prop them up.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a visual artist/painter. My paintings are bold, colorful and center around representational portraiture. I like to paint large-scale, confrontational pieces. My influences are KISS, punk and heavy metal subcultures and the movie ‘Over the Edge,’ so most of my work from the last few years depicts 80s teenage rock fans.
One of the paintings I’m most proud of is called Destroyers. I painted it as a gift to Scott Beggs when he opened Three Links in Deep Ellum. I get a kick out of seeing all the great bands play there with my piece as part of the backdrop.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Seeing the “Surrounded Islands” in Biscayne Bay by the artist, Christo had a huge impact on me as a kid
Pricing:
- Punk Under the Sun is $35.99 and available directly from the publisher at Hozacrecords.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://punkunderthesun.com | https://www.joeyseemandesigns.com | https://www.joeyseemanart.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/joey_seeman_art and https://Instagram.com/dj_joey_scandalous
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeyseeman/
Image Credits
Amy Seymour
Greg Lovette
