Returned to The beyond
(1924–2022)

Art is very important, it’s a deep reflection of life. It’s also a way of going beyond, what you normally consider reality. Art propels you beyond that.
– Joseph Zirker

Renowned artist and printmaker Joseph Zirker, passed away on June 25, two months shy of his 98th birthday in Redwood City, California.  Joseph Zirker was born on August 13, 1924, to Clarence Harold Zirker and Lillian Rappaport Zirker, in Los Angeles California.  Zirker was a renowned and respected innovator and multi-medium artist who worked as a printmaker, papermaker, painter, sculptor, teacher, and poet and inspired thousands of students, collectors, and fellow artists for more than 70 years.

Joseph Zirker invented a unique process for creating monotypes which are documented in his two books: The Cast Acrylic Print and Translucent Transformations. He also developed collaged sculptures of wood, foam core, and cardboard. Using copies of his handwritten words and other common materials he created tabletop-sized sculptures.  

Joseph Zirker is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, was a member of the National Academy of Design, and received two Pollock-Krasner awards.  He received his MFA from the University of Southern California, where he later taught printmaking. He taught at San Jose City College and lectured at Stanford University and Portland State University. His workshops have been held at Drake University, Rice University, Cooper Union School of the Arts and in several art academies in Belgium and the Netherlands. He is represented in numerous public collections, including the Smithsonian Institute, Stanford University Museum of Art, Achenbach Foundation for the Graphic Arts; Brooklyn Museum; the Anderson Collection, Centrum Frans Masereel, Belgium; De Saisset Art Gallery and Museum, University of Santa Clara; Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; Free Library of Philadelphia; Grunwald Collection, U.C.L.A.; National Academy of Design, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Oakland Museum of California; and the Portland Art Museum. 

In the 1970’s Zirker and his beloved late wife, Eva built a studio in Menlo Park that was featured in Sunset Magazine for its unique and beautiful design in the Willows neighborhood in Menlo Park.

Joseph believed that “Art is the garden of social justice, and that includes all mediums in its expression.” He was constantly inventing new methods for creating art and often used his art to reflect on political and world events, always in the interest of poor and working people.  He worked in his studio up until 3 weeks before he died, most recently creating new images from tire treads. 

Joseph’s wife of over 50 years, Eva, died in 2015.  He is survived by 4 children, Karen Jo Koonan of San Francisco, Daniel Zirker of Hamilton, New Zealand, Lisa Moses of Chang Rai, Thailand, and Nila Zirker of Terrell, Texas.  He is also survived by three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

About

Joseph Zirker, NA is the recipient of a 2004 Pollock-Krasner award and an elected member of the National Academy of Design. He is known worldwide as an innovator in monotype and printmaking. His works are represented in private and public collections, both in the USA and abroad.

He holds the degree of MFA from the University of Southern California, where he taught printmaking. He has lectured at Stanford University, San Jose City College and Portland State University. His workshops have been held at Drake University, Rice University, Cooper Union School of the Arts and in several art academies in Belgium and the Netherlands. He is listed in Who's Who in American Art.

Education

University of California at Los Angeles, 1943-44, 1946-47
University of Denver, 1948-49, B.F.A.
University of Southern California, 1949-51, M.F.A.
Tamarind Lithography Workshop - Printer Fellowship, 1962, 63, 64
Tamarind Lithography Workshop - Research Fellowship, Fall 1964

Teaching Experience

University of Southern California, 1951, 63
Hollywood Art Center, Los Angeles, California, 1951
Chouinard Art Center, Los Angeles, California, Summer 1963
Los Angeles County Art Institute (Otis), Evenings, 1963-64
San Jose City College, San Jose, California, 1966-80, Fall semesters only 1980-84
Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, Summer Sessions 1984, 85
Stanford University, Stanford, California, Spring Quarter 1981, Summer Quarters 1982, 83, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90