Josh Hy

You describe art as a “sacred playground where the spirit of creation dances freely.” Can you share a moment when you first felt this divine connection to your creative process?

I used to create with a structured vision of what the result would look like, down to the colour, the story behind the art, all that good jazz. And it worked for a while, until I the next step arrived. That level up. This was the moment I’ve been waiting for, except it was the divine spirit waiting for me to enter flow. I was working on a piece called Izreal in Wonderlust, still in the sketching stage, when suddenly an abrupt silence filled my mind, completely lost all thoughts of what the piece should look like. I was frustrated, but rather grateful. I felt like a leaf flowing in a river, no resistance, or constantly making adjustments, just effortless movement in my hands and colours presenting themselves in a sequence of their own.

Josh Hy | Sheba | 2022

How has your Jamaican and Panamanian heritage shaped your visual language and the themes you choose to explore?

I feel my Caribbean heritage is the vibrant colours taking center stage. Jamaica and Panama are among the most highly sought-after countries in the world for their culture, food, music, and value they provide. Very welcoming countries, my art welcomes the individual to connect to their authentic selves, move with boldness, and make statements, but is playful at the same time. We all remember Usain Bolt’s charisma in a similar way my art resembles that Caribbean flare. My themes are based are freedom of self, something that Jamaica and Panama fought and won. I create with a sense of freedom and exploration of cultures across the world.

Josh Hy | Night Rise | 2022

Your work blends painting, digital media, and graphic design. What draws you to mix these media rather than focus on just one?

I taught myself to draw and paint using the traditional tools ( pen, pencil, brushes) on paper or on canvas. I was drawn to digital media due to the vibrant colour gamut it offered and the challenge of transferring my drawing technique to a hand-drawn digital format. The next challenge I faced was transferring my hand-drawn digital art back to a traditional medium where I could add the textures of paint, diamond dust, Swarovski crystals, and elements of 24kt gold. The knowledge of graphic design helped me set up my canvas for the high-end fine art print production. I see the mediums as one body working in a symphony to create one medium. The challenge of mixing multiple elements to create one element is the real focus.

Josh Hy | Tokyo Sky | 2024

Many of your works incorporate crowns and bold gestural marks. What symbolic meaning do these recurring motifs hold for you?

My father often referred to me as “young Master Joshua” growing up. The crown originally was a part of my signature before moving into my works. The crown symbolizes my commitment of creating my absolute at that point in my life. A reminder to myself, this is me, and I am grateful for besting my prior work. The bold gestures symbolize uncertainty, surrendering control.

Josh Hy | Bride in the wind | 2022

You often mention that your art is about creating an authentic experience for the viewer. What do you hope people feel when standing in front of your works?

I want them to feel a reflection of themselves, an intimate connection corresponding to an experience. When they experience my work, they will stop and feel the energy resonating on the canvases, let the story flow into their emotions that have connections to past events, triggering the memories of their senses, creating the perfect space for the art to become an unforgettable narrative.

Josh Hy | Bitch in Embodiment | 2021

Mentorship is an important part of your practice. How does teaching and guiding young artists feed back into your own creativity?

It’s a mirror of when my father would talk with me and help, that feeling of being seen, someone I look up to giving me their time. Now I have the opportunity to give back that feeling to the younger generation. My art is rooted in experiences, and mentoring and guiding a creative or inquisitive audience adds a new layer of experiences. In my eyes, I see a symphony of lines, colours interacting in the now, telling me a story which in turn will become a memory that is a part of my being, and a part of my art.

Josh Hy | Thought Is Loves Currency | 2022

How do you balance intuition and planning when starting a new piece—do you begin with a clear vision, or does the work evolve spontaneously?

I begin with the size, how big do I want this to be? I already know what the portrait will mostly look like. The rest… I wouldn’t say spontaneous, but rather effortless. Listening to me, similar to a conversation when you’re really in the moment, you’re excited, and you’re telling the listener(s) how you’re feeling, and it just comes out, you don’t have to think, you just do.