Joseph Szilva is a painter, sculptor and photographer based in midtown Manhattan.

As a painter and sculptor, he helped pave the way for the rising East Village scene of the 80s, showing his work in prominent galleries and receiving high praise from critics, including a New York Times review. His work is held in many private and corporate collections worldwide. 

In the 90s, Joseph began making surface backgrounds for his wife, former stylist Mokus de Barcza. The small collection of surfaces quickly evolved into New York’s beloved Surface Studio, which now offers one of the world’s largest and most diverse inventory of hand crafted surface backgrounds and set pieces.

His fine art photography brings a painterly and sculptural aesthetic as well as a keen eye for technical lighting. He prefers to create almost entirely in camera with minimal post production.