JOSÉ AWO BIO
Awo is heavily influenced by his friend and mentor the legendary Santa Fe lithographer/painter Ron Adams (6/25/34 – 11/10/20). Adams called Awo's work "...challenging & daring," & stated "...you won't see anything like them anywhere else."
Atlanta-based conceptual artist Jose Awo draws inspiration from international travels to create sublime pieces that are "challenging and daring.”
Using repurposed materials such as industrial glass, he has refined his own visual and conceptual vocabulary to create the dramatic. Awo’s pieces are deconstructed and pure, with a studied appreciation of life's overlooked treasures. His artwork is designed to draw viewers into a reflective state of self-examination.
Through the use of powerful imagery, colors and materials, Awo's art highlights what's happening in society causing the viewer to ponder several societal issues -- such as the plight of the unhoused -- in perhaps a new and different light.
WORKS OF ART
ACTIVISM
Awo uses both his art and his service to the community as powerful tools in building coalitions and advocating for change. Through his art, he strives to help individuals and the public to visualize and experience the feelings and stories that its creator shares. Through his mentorship and service work with South Atlanta High School, Meals on Wheels, The Male Scholars Foundation and Caring Works to name a few, Awo is active in campaigning and being a voice for change.
JOHNNY GANT EVENT (ATLANTA CITY HALL)
The Atlanta City Council recognized celebrated boxer Johnny L. Gant Sr.’s outstanding humanitarianism and contributions to training athletes and the sport of boxing; his lifetime of accomplishments in sport, education, and business; and a legacy of kind heartedness as a philanthropist, boxer, and trainer of future Olympians and professional boxing athletes and designated August 1, 2022 as Johnny L. Gant Sr. Day. Jose Āwo was commissioned to create a piece to commemorate the day which hangs in the council chamber.
BROAD STROKES ON BROAD STREET
Broad Strokes on Broad Street is an art exhibit created by international conceptual artist Jose Āwo and was designed to bring increased attention to the plight of Atlanta’s un-homed community. The Broad Strokes on Broad Street journey consisted of a series of events advocating against homelessness in Atlanta by leveraging art activism, with a goal of providing a voice from and a window into heartfelt discussions and the experiences of the un-homed.
An Atlanta native, Āwo donated all proceeds from the installation to CaringWorks, a local agency that is working to end homelessness by providing comprehensive services and resources to the un-homed. Attendees experienced Āwo's talents through an interactive, multi-media exhibit that incorporated painting installations featuring QR codes. The codes launched clips featuring members of the un-housed community who shed light on the issue. The exhibit was presented by the City Atlanta Department of Planning and Urban Design.
BROAD STROKES VIDEO:
PHOTOS
