Death of an Artist – The Joseph Ross Story
A solo exhibition about transformation, vulnerability, and the courage to start again.
This evening is about you and your personal hopes, aspirations, and life story. View this series through your own lens and your own experience. Do not look at these images as you would a typical art exhibition. You are encouraged to dislike and like in full or equal measure and share these thoughts with the artist.
The theme for Death of an Artist represents an ending to 30 years of artistic expression. For 18 months, during the development of the 5 chapters, possibilities emerged that perhaps the ending could become a new beginning. Time will tell. This exhibition is intended to be my final show, and for now, that is what it is.
All we have is this moment. Joseph Ross had a single motto:
"I specialized in keeping everything I do a secret." His final piece of advice is: "I don't recommend it."
Come walk the story with us.
From Joseph Ross to Tom McCafferyWhat happens when you stop keeping your brilliance a secret?
For decades, Tom McCaffery lived in two worlds—the successful business mind, and the secret artist known as Joseph Ross. He sold art, he built companies, he kept the two separate.
But you can only live split in half for so long.
Death of an Artist is a public shedding of skin. An invitation to stop compartmentalizing the creative life. It’s the culmination of every late night in the studio and every client pitch where art felt like a ghost.
This isn’t about endings. It’s about integration.
How to Experience the ShowThere’s No Right Way to Do This
But there is a way that might change you.
InstructionsFirst Viewing
Walk through with a drink in hand. Let your eyes do the work.
Don’t decode. Don’t explain. Just ask yourself:
- Where am I right now in my life?
- What do I want that I haven’t named?
- Am I holding back out of habit or fear?
- What does success feel like, and do I think I deserve it?
Instructions
Second Viewing
Second Viewing
Now walk through again.
Try to see through
- The artist’s eyes
- Through the eyes of someone who feels too much
- Somoeone who says too little, and creates in silence
- This is about shared experience
You’ll leave changed.
Join Us June 7, 2025 at The Ampersand, Calgary
| Evening Schedule | |
|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | Doors Open, Gallery Walk Begins |
| 6:45 PM | Welcome by Joseph Ross |
| 7:00 PM | Live Podcast Recording |
| 7:30 PM | Live Music |
| 8:00 PM | Interactive Art Zone: Exquisite Corpse |
| 9:45 PM | Final Reveal & Reflections |
| Other Details | |
|---|---|
| Dress Code | Come as you are |
| Food & Drink | Food trucks & bar on-site |
| Hotel Info | Hotel Arts group rates available |
| Accessibility | Fully accessible venue |
Walk the Chapters of a Life
Follow the mapt to explore all five zones.
How We Become
Introduction
This is the artist's high-level view of the current state of the world and begins to decode the early headspace the artist found himself in when creating this show. These works reflect the barriers, idiosyncrasies, and long-held beliefs that structure our lives.
ARTWORK
My take on being in an angry, beautiful, hopeful, dismal new world
I have always found the palette more interesting than the painting
It's what's on the inside that counts
It’s not the work that will keep you from being forgotten
If I only stuck to that which I am capable I would accomplish very little
Trying to find yourself in the doing
Most of us can't work a toaster
Rusty as you may look, you are much more than the sum o your parts
Divided Lines
A side B sideChapter One
A side B side
This chapter explores internal division that happens as we deal with building our lives. Our profession, our family, and our history begin to layer. Sometimes we create separation. It becomes the split between who we are and who we present, between business and creativity, between ambition and authenticity. The metaphor of a 45 record connects the artist's "A-side" and "B-side," allowing his full self to play through.
ARTWORK
Trying to hold onto something that let go of you a long time ago
My Nobel Peace Prize was returned when they heard the voices in my head
When you go away and realize that no one realized
Imperfection is beautiful, some would argue, it's where we derive it
Those who I admire, those who I aspire, those whom I am told I inspire
I was struck by the exhaustion of being useful, of having an abundance of utility
God forbid you use tools that saddle you with premature sheen
I cannot read a crystal ball, but I can read the writing on the wall
I've never heard more voices yet felt more alone
You be the constant and I'll be the moment of doubt
Somewhere behind me is my future
When you see yourself in the words of others
Breaking the Pattern
or Doubling DownChapter Two
or Doubling Down
This pattern builds; the separation of dreams and reality, the successes and failures mount. We build more mountains to climb. Sometimes dreams fade, sometimes we find a different version of success. What becomes our new motivation?
ARTWORK
It is all chance or destiny and our wayward steps are best planted without too much calculation
If I only painted birch trees or portraits, life would be grand
I lived my life in those years, I forget the rest
It's when you see the unbelievable that it hits you
Looking for the thing that sets you apart
How will I be remembered, will anyone hear my voice
Somewhere in all that ink is the novel that you should have published
You are the person you needed when you were younger
I can no longer afford to travel due to an excess of invisible baggage
That which you cannot reform is best to endure
There has never been a shortage of bad ideas
When I grew up I became someone else
Carrying the weight on an answer that no one understands
Creativity is the universal thing we allow ourselves to be talked out of
How is this a world I was blind to
I am the greatest world champion Prize Fighter, but I failed to find the right ring
Becoming the New MeanChapter Three
The "new mean" is the middle point between extremes. Can you become your authentic self? Can you move toward your goals and recognize there are degrees of success?
ARTWORK
The path to become everyone else is free and easy. I've paid the price of admission to become myself
Embracing a plan you can't see or understand
My anthropic principle is more about Aesthetics than utility
Everything you think has one common denominator
There is a clear message in the appearance of chaos - allow yourself to see it
It took an abundance of courage to leap. The path only appeared as I fell down
Something tells me things can be different
Still life, will hold the moments you long for
All the things I wanted to say but didn’t have time
The End of an EraConclusion
The show closes not with finality, but with a moment of continuity. The death of "Joseph Ross" is not an ending—it's a transformation. This process has been the exercising of demons, floods of passion, and no end to learning.
ARTWORK
Fix as much of the broken as I can
If this doesn't look like a tree to everyone else it's no wonder I can't navigate the forest
Using too many words awkwardly may lead you to believe I am not in control - I am
I always wanted to be an interesting person, I never achieved that
The package does not represent the product with any accuracy.
My ears started ringing less when the paths became clear
You can’t wait for the bad stuff to go before you allow yourself to be happy
The Extras That Stay With You
Chapter Interlude
Chapter Interlude
You might also enjoy a few moments that can’t be framed but are just as artful.
Wander with the roaming band—unexpected, unscripted, and in rhythm with the crowd.
Refuel and recharge at our food trucks and bar stations, where the experience continues—bite by bite, sip by sip.
Commission Your Own Story
Your story deserves to be seen. Complete the form to start a one-on-one collaboration with Tom and transform your moment into a custom piece of art. Complete the form below for your personal quote.