Biographical Information

Judith Joseph is a Chicago artist who exhibits internationally. She works across media in woodblock printmaking, painting, installation, calligraphy and illustration, with a focus on ketubot. Her work is in public and private collections such as the University of Illinois, Chicago Public Library, Milwaukee Public Museum, Hillel–Milwaukee and several synagogues. She has had numerous solo and two-person exhibitions, and participated in numerous group exhibitions, artist residencies and fellowships. She is an active member, co-curator and moderator of the Jewish Art Salon, an international organization, and often takes part in JAS exhibitions. Her work appears in books, journals, magazines, zines and on radio; she has received multiple awards. She teaches watercolor, drawing and calligraphy at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Video: Interview with Judith about her art, 2026

My Story

William Kentridge said it best:  “All children draw.  I just forgot to stop.”

From a very early age, I loved art.  I spent hours drawing, making origami figures, cutting shapes and gluing everything together. My attraction to art was tied to my love of books and illustration.  My mother brought me art supplies, and shared her huge collection of art books.  My father, a doctor, taught me about the intricate systems of the body, awakening in me a spiritual connection to biology and natural forms and systems.

I fell in love with the medieval illuminated manuscripts I found in my mother’s books.  I learned calligraphy and began to play with words and border designs.  Then, I discovered beautiful manuscripts from my own Jewish tradition, written in Hebrew rather than Latin.  I taught myself Hebrew calligraphy and at the age of 17, I made my first ketubah (hand-written, illustrated Jewish marriage contract, a traditional folk art.)

I was off and running with the ketubah.  I made them for commissions while I was in art school, and upon graduation, I went backpacking across Europe, seeking out ancient manuscripts in museum collections and making sketches in my notebook.

In my art practice, I create and exhibit paintings and woodblock prints, as well as commissioned ketubahs and calligraphic works.  The intricate, detailed style of the ketubah may be seen in my prints and paintings.

My work expresses the love of stories I felt as a child, looking at beautifully illustrated storybooks.  I bring this love of story to my paintings and woodblock prints, to my ketubahs, and even to my teaching. Increasingly, my work is about social justice.

In my art, I hope to spark insight, joy and discovery for myself and others.  I always hope that my work resonates with people; that they find their own story in it.

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