Joseph Young (born UK, 1960) lives and works between Britain and Ireland. A former actor and award-winning composer (1982–2005), he appeared in numerous West End musicals and television productions before retraining as a visual artist at the University of Brighton, graduating in 2005. He holds a PhD in Inclusive Design and Creative Technology Innovation from University College Dublin (2023).
Young’s artistic practice is rooted in sound and its connection to place. As he describes it, “it all starts for me with listening—listening to the city, to the natural world, to people and places, and from that process, figuring out ways to represent what I have heard as an artwork.” His work translates acts of listening into immersive experiences that bridge memory, environment, and material form.
Supported by the Irish Research Council, in 2024 Young created The Ancestors, a unique hauntological sound trail exploring the historic archives of Killruddery House & Gardens in Ireland. The project was curated by Anne Mullee of Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, and accompanied by a limited-edition vinyl album, Sonic Hauntings in a Big House, released by Irish sound art label Farpoint Recordings.
Exhibitions include Sounding Peace, Aldershot Military Museum (2025); Edges, Wexford Arts Centre, Ireland and Watts Gallery, UK (2024); The Destruction of Language (after Le Madame), French Pavilion, Venice Architecture Biennale (2023); Make Futurism Great Again, Estorick Collection, UK (2018); Handmade/Automation, British Ceramics Biennial (2017); The Missing Paintings, Towner Art Gallery, UK (2017); Revolution #10, Houses of Parliament, UK (2015); Growing Manual, Seoul Museum of Art (2014); The Ballad of Skinny Lattes and Vintage Clothing, Trellick Tower, Lewis Elton Gallery, Estorick Collection (2013); Orchestra of Ringtones, Jerwood Gallery, Hastings (2013); and Listening Ears, Tate Britain, UK (2012).
His work is held in several permanent collections, including Towner Art Gallery and the Estorick Collection.
“Joseph Young is one of the most talented and innovative sound artists of our generation.” — Prof. Lizbeth Goodman, Director and Co-founder, SMARTlab
Website: artofnoises.com
