About the exhibition
Souls of A Nation is an arts advocacy exhibition that explores the stories of people impacted by systems of power. The portraits and accompanying writings examine how white supremacy manifests through environmental justice, voter suppression, the criminal justice system and reproductive justice issues. The Souls of A Nation exhibition is a project by Joe’s Art Studio that uses art and storytelling to educate about issues of systemic injustice.
About Joe
Joe Ward (b.1986) is a Brooklyn based visual artist who blends virtual and traditional creative tools to make drawings, paintings and digital art. In addition to artmaking, Joe’s practice includes a broad range of activities including writing and research.
Born in Naha (Japan) and raised in Clovis, New Mexico, Joe attended the George Washington University in Washington D.C. where he received his BFA in design, and the New York Studio School in New York City where he received his MFA in painting. For over a decade, Joe has worked alongside many of the nation’s leading social justice movements, creating and implementing communications strategies to address issues of racial justice, LGBTQ justice and equality, economic justice and poverty. Joe’s studio practice includes several project series that engage issues of memory, the figure, architecture, spirituality and social justice.
Joe’s work has been featured at the Brooklyn Museum, New York Studio School Gallery, Black Art Sessions [B.A.S.] Gallery and a selection of the Souls of A Nation portraits are featured at the Festival Center Community Gallery in Washington D.C.