He travelled in Europe and the Far East during the 1970s, and subsequently enrolled at the London College of Printing, graduating with a Dip AD in Typographic design.
[7] According to InIVA (the Institute of International Visual Art), "Joseph's work is often figurative and centred on the themes of reality, or rather the surreality, of life in the city.
"[8] In the documentary film Tam Joseph; Work in Progress, he talks about his start as a painter and how he enjoys using tools he himself has made.
[12] Another notable work, dating from 1983, is UK School Report, which depicts the passage of a Black youth through the British education system in three portraits that are captioned: "Good at sports", "Likes music" and "Needs surveillance".
Knowledgeable about art from the past, Joseph creates pieces that reference historical genres and forms, inviting viewers to consider them anew.