By Miles Patrick Yohnke
© 2010 All Rights Reserved.
He tap dances in the darkness,
Of the womb of his mother,
Dodging coat hangers,
Drunk on gin.
He is a survivor.
He is a survivor from the start.
He is a prize fighter to the end.
Bonded by muscle,
Bonded by power,
Bonded by passion,
Bonded by desire,
Bonded by love,
For he knows no bounds.
For he is a survivor.
For he is a world-class prize fighter.
He is a painter,
He is of paints.
His colours,
So glorious,
So vivid,
So remarkable,
So unmistakable.
For his work, For his life, No one should forget. No excuses, No assistance, No government bailouts, For his life, For his art. For he is self-sufficient. For he is a world-class artist.
'83, HIV, he is one of it's longest survivors.
He is the ultimate prize-fighter.
The struggle of his disease,
The disease that claws at he.
But he has staying power,
He is a world-class fighter,
The ultimate world-class prize fighter.
A passion for living,
A passion for caring,
A passion for humanity,
A passion for us all to be one.
A passion for unequalled detail.
He is loaded with care as his canvas shows,
For he is a masterpiece.
Copyright © 2010 Miles Patrick Yohnke - All Rights Reserved.
Joe Average's mural commemorates 40 years since the AIDS/HIV epidemic
Joe Average: A 12-minute documentary by SFU students (2001)
CBC Telejournal: A 3-minute feature on the documentary "I See the Fear" with Joe Average & Jamie Griffiths
BC Legends with Carole Taylor interview with Joe Average in 2023:
About Joe Average:
Born in Victoria, BC, Canada in 1957, Joe began signing his artwork Joe Average when he was 19. Living with HIV since 1983, the self-taught Joe Average has earned international recognition as an advocate for HIV/AIDS, an artist, and a noted philanthropist.
On April 23, 2019, the Royal Canadian Mint released a coin with art by Joe Average, said to symbolize the progress lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and two-spirited people have achieved in Canada as well the work that still needs to be done.
His work can be seen on a 1996 Canadian Stamp which was also the conference image for the 1996 XI International Conference on AIDS. In 1998, Joe was recognized by the Governor General of Canada with the Caring Canadian Award. The City of Vancouver has bestowed him with a Civic Merit Award in 1994. He was the recipient of a 1993 Jessie Award, and has been officially presented to then Prince Charles (now King Charles III) and the late Princess Diana at Rideau Hall. Vancouver mayor Philip Owen issued a civic proclamation to designate November 3, 2002, as "Joe Average Day" in the city.
Since the release of "Masterpiece: Joe Average," Joe has ventured into another medium, photography.
To learn more about Joe Average:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject: Joe Average: Painter, Print Maker and Photographer
Release Date: Oct. 8, 2024
This Thursday, October 10th, is Joe Average's 67th birthday. His pop-art has captured the attention of international art critics, royalty, celebrities, and the public.
On April 23, 2019, the Royal Canadian Mint released a coin with art by Joe Average, said to symbolize the progress lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and two-spirited people have achieved in Canada as well the work that still needs to be done.
His work can be seen on a 1996 Canadian Stamp which was also the conference image for the 1996 XI International Conference on AIDS. In 1998, Joe was recognized by the Governor General of Canada with the Caring Canadian Award. The City of Vancouver has bestowed him with a Civic Merit…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject: Joe Average: Painter, Print Maker and Photographer
Release Date: Oct. 10, 2023
Today, October 10th, is Joe Average's 66th birthday. His pop-art has captured the attention of international art critics, royalty, celebrities, and the public.
On April 23, 2019, the Royal Canadian Mint released a coin with art by Joe Average, said to symbolize the progress lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and two-spirited people have achieved in Canada as well the work that still needs to be done.
His work can be seen on a 1996 Canadian Stamp which was also the conference image for the 1996 XI International Conference on AIDS. In 1998, Joe was recognized by the Governor General of Canada with the Caring Canadian…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject: Pride Month - Artist Joe Average
Release Date: June 29, 2023
Last week, I introduced you to 'Joe' as part of a trilogy to celebrate Pride month. Today, we look at artist Joe Average and how he changed my life.
This year marks 40 years that Joe Average has lived with HIV. The self-taught Joe Average has earned international recognition as an advocate for HIV/AIDS, an artist, and a noted philanthropist. His pop-art has captured the attention of international art critics, royalty, celebrities, and the public.
On April 23, 2019, the Royal Canadian Mint released a coin with art by Joe Average, said to symbolize the progress lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and two-spirited people have achieved…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject: Joe Average: Painter, Print Maker and Photographer
Release Date: Oct. 4, 2022
This Monday, October 10th, marks the 65th birthday of Joe Average. His pop-art has captured the attention of international art critics, royalty, celebrities, and the public.
On April 23, 2019, the Royal Canadian Mint released a coin with art by Joe Average, said to symbolize the progress lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and two-spirited people have achieved in Canada as well the work that still needs to be done.
His work can be seen on a 1996 Canadian Stamp which was also the conference image for the 1996 XI International Conference on AIDS. In 1998, Joe was recognized by the Governor General of Canada with…