Installations
Molly's On Top, Lancaster, PA (above Molly's Pub)
Joel’s largest installation can be found on the second floor of Molly’s
Pub. The “Sonic” series, consisting of 15 pieces (10 murals, 5 companion
pieces on opposite walls) is acrylic and stain on masonite panels, each
framed and mounted directly onto the walls. Ember found inspiration for
this series in a stand alone piece he rendered entitled “Et-Sonica”, the
only piece he has ever produced, that is oil paints on wood. The
longer drying time required for oils was prohibitive to his painting style.
The installation occurred in October 2005. The sonic boom of popularity
of this artistic endeavor that the “Sonic” series created has been felt
across Lancaster, to this day.
The “Sonic” series was received so well by patrons that Joel was invited
back to provide subsequent installations. Restauranteur Anthony Maglietta
purchased numerous pieces from Ember's regular openings over the next 2
years, which have graced the remaining empty brick wall. Two of these
pieces, “Two Skins I” and “Two Skins II”, which flank the upstairs bar
of the upstairs lounge, have been favorites of not just the owner and the
artist, but also many patrons. The pieces, of which only 3 were ever
completed, are owned by Maglietta and his mother, Shirlee Maglietta.
They were inspired by the movie “Brokeback Mountain”, and represent two
individuals (in primitive outline pours) who share one common heart (center
red pour). They are striking in their simplicity and power.
In August 2006 Joel completed seven additional panels
for the second floor’s newly renovated bathroom. The panels are set
against deep garnet and ruby colored walls, with accents of brushed aluminum
and mahogany. Joel added 22 additional paintings (including a final 4’
by 8’ piece) to the stairwell and hallway leading down to the pub. The
entire collection—Joel’s largest—is a total of 45 pieces. Once the project
was completed, in October 2007, the murals cover 11 walls, covering 110’
of linear wall space. The collection is on display and open to the
public, whenever the lounge is open, usually Thursday through Saturday,
5pm – midnight.
Gallery
From the late 1990s to his epic Lancaster reemergence, Joel could be
found showing his renderings in the North Shore District of Chicago. In
early 2004 he journeyed to Prague and Budapest to make studies for paintings
that were completed on his return to Lancaster.
Since 2004, Joel Ember has primarily shown in Lancaster. November
2004 found Joel holding a private opening for “Praque: New Works”, at Mulberry
Art Studios in the East Gallery. Well over 200 friends, collectors and
buyers were in attendance and the show sold out within the first hour.
Since Joel’s return to the hard streets of Lancaster he has been steadily
booked up to a year in advance, showing at Art Walks, local museum shows
and any number of local galleries. His first local showing of 2008 occurred
in February at The DeMuth Museum. The invitational show, “The Self Portrait
and the Artist”, fared very well, and Ember's work sold in the first few
minutes of the opening.
In 2005 and 2006, Joel had 12 shows in 14 months. In 2007, Ember backed
off his show schedule to 6 shows in Pennsylvania and 1 in Chicago.
Joel is currently getting ready to travel to Mexico in February-March 2008,
to provide sketches and color studies for his 2008-2009 shows.
From the artist:
I would like to thank everyone who has made the last 4 years so successful
for me. I'm thrilled to have this success so near to home, after so many
years away. I'd like to thank the following people: Harvey/Michael
for their support and help; Cathy Hedge for her website design and maintenance;
Don Blyler for his support and collecting of my work, and his sponsorship
of my first ever one-man show at the Lancaster Museum of Art; To Wendell
and Anthony, for their collecting and support of my work. and finally,
for all of my friends for coming to celebrate my openings with me and collectors,
for allowing me to continue painting.
