Broad Strokes on Broad Street Q & A with Jose Awo, artist
Tell us about yourself and how you got involved in the project.
Artist Jose Awo in front of the interactive portion of the Broad Strokes on Broad Street exhibit.
I am an international conceptual artist and human rights activist who was mentored and influenced by Ron Adams, the legendary Santa Fe lithographer. Studying under Adams was instrumental in my refining my own visual and conceptual vocabulary. My goal is to design my work in such a way that viewers are drawn into a more reflective state of self-examination. Since 2007, I have been featured in several solo exhibitions and commissioned to do installations in the U.S. and abroad.
I am also an Atlanta native, and like many other socially-conscious activists in our community, I am concerned by how so many of our people are effected by the societal ills that have led to almost inhumane living conditions. These people are our neighbors and family, yet, they have been rendered almost “invisible” to the larger society. Not only do I seek to bring visibility to their plight, I will also donate all proceeds from the installation to CaringWorks, a local agency that is working to end homelessness by providing comprehensive services and resources to their clients.
What influenced you to create Broad Strokes on Broad Street?
“Without community, there is no liberation...”
I created the Broad Strokes on Broad Street exhibit to bring increased attention to Atlanta’s plight of the un-housed community. I firmly believe that art has social relevance and is effective as a means of activism. An art-based approach is a positive alternative because it stimulates empathy -- and I believe that empathy is vital to achieving social justice. To effect real change, artist-activists need to work through cultural means.
Tell us about your process in creating the work on Broad Street – how did you create each piece? What did you consider about the street (the canopies, colors, people etc)?
The idea was to work with the city’s un-housed community to create an immersive exhibit and a concept that would make their plight and presence in the community visible.
Working with members of the un-housed community in Atlanta, I created an interactive, multi-media exhibit that combines a painting installation featuring QR codes that launch interview clips with subjects who shed light on this issue. By talking with each individual, I was able to put the viewer face-to-face with members of Atlanta’s un-housed population and to show their beauty, dignity and complexity.
What do you hope people leave with or think about after attending the exhibit and events?
My desire is to give a voice to the voiceless.
Fore more information on Broad Strokes on Broad Street click here.