Born in 1928 in
Tilson's early work was more conventional and realist in style, but with contemporary subject matter taken from his surroundings and his travels. He then began to produce reliefs in wood, taking advantage of his skills as a carpenter. A highly formalized abstract language was developed, often consisting of simple geometric forms. With the emergence of the Pop Art movement, Tilson began creating works that contained bold colors and imagery. He explored the grid as a structural device. By the 1960's, Tilson was making use of editioned screenprints and multiples, which made reference to contemporary events and to radical political figures of the time. More recently, Tilson still makes screenprints, but his preference is for more traditional techniques of printmaking such as etching, aquatint and woodcuts.
Tilson's first one-man shows were held at the Marlborough Gallery,
Signs work: "Joe Tilson".
His work is in major museums in the
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