Baker Artist Portfolios

“I make Art to record dreams and experiences.
I make Art to create dreams and experiences.”
- Dirk Joseph

Baltimore based artist Dirk Joseph depicts the sacred and natural worlds through his multidisciplinary artworks. He is a muralist, puppeteer, painter, sculptor, film maker, and community arts facilitator.

Over the last decade Dirk has developed a sculpting technique using wood and recycled paper fiber to create low relief wall sculptures. In 2016 he founded String Theory Theater, a puppetry troupe in which he performs with his daughters locally and nationally.
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For over 30 years Dirk has been teaching art in school settings and facilitating art workshops in various community settings. He has worked with numerous community based organizations to bring art-making to youth, families, and elders. Dirk states “I approach art as a ritual. Through art making we can affirm connection, articulate self determination, explore culture and history and even the future. One of the challenges of modernity is that of where we place our attention. Too often our attention is directed away from our own natural innate sensibilities and primary relationship with nature, and into a paradigm of existence that is curated by commercial interests and all manner of bizarre power dynamics. Art can be a path back to honoring our inner being and our intrinsic interest in wholesome communal relationships.”

Dirk has been involved in public art collaborations and has completed his own temporary installations and public performances, but late in 2024 Dirk completed his first large permanent public art installation. A mural titled “We Are Nature” is painted on the exterior wall of a two story building in the Broadway East Neighborhood of Baltimore. Dirk states “This was a very exciting project, from the community engagement phase through to the installation process. I met several members of the local community, including local youth that came by to observe the painting, taking and giving inspiration throughout the process.” Dirk affirms that this will be the first of many such public art installations.