A native of Brooklyn, New York, Joel Thurm hit the ground running after studies at Hunter College majoring in theater and psychology. Without any prior experience in the field, his first real job was with the David Merrick Group as a Casting Director. According to Thurm, “Merrick knew more about me than I knew of myself.” While with the Merrick Group, he casted such as, “Pearl Bailey,” “Hello Dolly,” Burt Bacharach’s “Promises, Promises,” Woody Allen’s “Play it Again Sam,” among others.
Thurm’s career was on fire and he was brought to Hollywood where he continued to cast for the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975), “Grease.”(1978) and “Altered States” (1980). These were followed by a series of successes as a casting director for NBC where he casted “Angie,” “Airplane” and the critically acclaimed series, “Taxi.”
The list and career goes on, but his hidden passion was always photography. After a year in Italy and an extended long stay in India, he developed his technique and style over five years.
His stage and film producing gave him a Technicolor eye, including the sights and sounds of foreign countries as well as the USA grounded him with a unique perspective.
With the advent of technology and his imagination, he created what he terms as “Hyperrealism.” His photographs are morphed into the appearance of stone lithography, oil and watercolor paintings. His work’s subjects are images that make the ordinary – extraordinary with a surreal beautifulness.
Thurm’s photography of the London Tate Galleries, Joshua Tree National Park, P-Town and Palm Springs is his latest body of work. This April his new solo exhibits will be on display at the Ivan Gallery (www.facebook.com/IVANartgallery) in Los Angeles and in May 2019 at the Gallery 444 in Provincetown, Massachusetts. https://www.gallery444ptown.com
For further information, commissions and booking venues, contact clarkarts@aol.com,
Review by Chevalier Tony Clark
P.S. Your comments are welcomed.