Working mostly in painting and sculpture, Joe Smith’s work explores the notion of surfaces that embody need, while drawing out the effects of stains and residue. This exploration has translated into the use of certain commercial products that promise to fight impurities that can't be seen, such as water purifiers, air purifiers, and disinfectants in his work. His paintings incorporate antibacterials and other cleaning materials with traditional oil paint, combined with plastic coverings meant to preserve or protect. Exploring similar chemical processes, Smith’s sculptures use slow wicking salt solutions to create a dynamic surface stain that changes over time. These simple gestures impact the perceptions of the room they inhabit and the space around them in ways that stir memories and unsettle meanings, tugging at the outer edges of our basic instincts for preservation and need.