Joe Mangrum

New York-based artist known for his innovative sand paintings that merge cultural patterns with natural, scientific, and technological elements to create animated forms. Utilizing a unique technique where he pours colored sand through his hands, Mangrum manipulates the flow and sharpness of lines with the precision of a graffiti artist, turning gravity into his brush. His works explore urban landscapes, juxtaposing them with hybrid life forms that thrive within the concrete jungle. These performative public interventions break up the urban grid with living, organic shapes, acting as vibrant catalysts for social interaction.

In addition to his ephemeral sand paintings, Mangrum has expanded his practice to include works on canvas and carved wood. Using colored sand and acrylic, he has developed unique techniques to express ephemeral works in permanent mediums, allowing his intricate designs to be preserved and appreciated in new formats.