Glen Josselsohn was born in Johannesburg in 1971. His art has been exhibited in several art galleries around the country – with a number of sell-out exhibitions on the South African art scene. Glen has always had an interest in art especially being the son of a great artist, Gail Josselsohn. Glen’s fascination with abstract art comes from the likes of Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Miro and local African art, Glen Josselsohn has become one of South Africa’s leading contemporary artist’s, selling art locally & internationally. The way I paint is unique! My Art is a buzz with energy and movement. The last person who had a similar style was Jackson Pollock. I’ve been using a drip technique; it’s interesting, modern, abstract and contemporary.

Glen Josselsohn is one ofSouth Africa’s leading Contemporary Artists, who’s unique style adds life, energy and colour to any empty space. Glen’s Art is booming and become the hype of the Art World. Glen’s Artwork is utilised Locally and Internationally by Interior Designers/Decorators specifically for corporate and residential projects. All of the work is unique to each space, taking into account feedback from the designer and client involved.

Glen has been commissioned by numerous Decorators and has painted for exclusive Hotels ie Marion and the Radisson. Glen has also been featured on numerous lifestyle TV Programmes including Top Billing, and has had many editorials written in Magazines such as Habitat, SA Decor and Design, Garden and Home, House and leisure, Top Billing, Home and Tuis to mention a few!

Distinctively contemporary in his work, artist Glen Josselsohn’s signature art style offers the perfect solution to complement a modern and chic room design.

There’s nothing quite like art to give a room a character of its own. If the décor is the room’s attire, the paintings on the walls are definitely its attitude!

If there was ever a good example of this analogy, it’s the work of contemporary artist, Glen Josselsohn. Not only does his art buzz with energy and movement, but it opens up the imagination, engages the senses and ignites a sense of curiosity within the viewer. What really is going on between those lines and squiggles, those figures leaping off the canvas?

“The way I paint is unique,” Glen says of his work. “The last person who had a similar style was Jackson Pollock. I’ve been using and experimenting with the drip technique for ten years now, and I feel like I have developed a signature style. It’s interesting, and it’s contemporary, and I think that’s what people want.”

It’s definitely sparked an interest within the hospitality industry. Last year, Johannesburg boutique hotel, Marion on Nicol, commissioned Glen to do over 30 paintings for the establishment, creating a contemporary feel throughout this chic property. According to Glen, the hospitality industry is a perfect platform for his art, as he is able to create work in large volumes, at affordable rates. As for the content and the style, it’s timeless and appeals to most – characteristics that hospitality establishments would do well to keep in mind when investing in pieces that will form part of their identity for years to come.

The Radisson Platinum gym is another buyer of his work, the movement and energy on his canvases being suitably appropriate for the nature of the establishment. Glen has also been featured on Top Billing.

Although art has always been Glen’s passion, it is only now that he is able to focus on it fulltime. But finally, it seems, he is on the career path he has always desired.

“I always wanted to do something artistic, but I’m an entrepreneur by nature,” Glen says. “I’ve worked in IT, recruitment, insurance, and the renovation of high-end residential property! My artwork has always been a hobby. But when the property market took a tumble, I had to be a lot more proactive. It was important to diversify, and I began to discover new markets for my paintings.”

It certainly helps to come from an artistic family. Glen admits that art was always part of his life, his mother, Gail Josselsohn, being an artist herself, as well as a teacher with her own studio. “My mom has always been my mentor,” he admits. “She has encouraged me all my life, so I owe it greatly to her.”

Glen describes his grandfather as a “prolific” artist, and both his father and brother as very artistic. Certainly a good track record for anyone exploring the opportunity of making art their full-time focus and mainstream income!

Keeping within the theme of change (Glen recently moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town), he will also be focusing more intently on working on canvas mediums, rather than paper. “As an artist, painting on a canvas as opposed to paper makes a big difference,” he says. “It’s like driving a Rolls Royce and comparing it with a VW Golf… You can’t compare the experience! Expensive if you make mistakes – but worth it!”

He is also in the process of creating his own unique range of acrylic paints – acrylic being his primary medium, along with textured resin, which allows his drip technique to have an almost 3D effect. Using a syringe to do the ‘drips’ and thus outline his work, Glen draws on inspiration from famous modernists such as Miro, Pollock and Mondrian. It is this technique that defines Glen’s unique style – a signature flair that has proven particularly popular, both locally and internationally.

Looking forward, Glen’s main goal is to keep doing what he does best: painting. With the intention to promote his work more in Europe and to build and develop his technique even further, life is certainly bound to be exciting. Watch this space – he’s sure to create more than a splash within the art circles. You never know – one of these vibrant wall adornments may just be the je ne se quoi in your hotel lobby!

For more information on Glen Josselsohn’s work, contact him on 082 821 1779 or email him at jossartsa@gmail.com