I first met Jae Joseph when the Posture team was photographing the amazing art world power couple Mickalene Thomas and Racquel Chevremont for PAPER magazine earlier this year, and he was full of energy and light. After getting to know him and learning more about his mission, it became clear that Jae is a special force in the arts with a unique vision to create a bridge for art and culture to communicate in new and innovative ways. Jae describes himself as a content producer and art director with a background in communications. He functions as a creative service agency consisting of everything from PR strategy and coordination to event planning and everything in-between.
I sat down to chat with him about his journey to get to where he is today, what his experience has been like as a queer black man in the art world, and the contemporary art landscape.
Jae Joseph | Photo by Lauren Perlstein
What was your journey like to get to where you are now?
I attended the Academia De Forenz in Florence where I felt a level of refinement of my taste and understanding of Art. Immediately following my graduation, I worked at Burberry under Christopher Bailey as a merchandising assistant in London for one year. Soon after, I returned to the states to New York and began working with Public Relation firms and freelancing with Starworks as a Public Relations coordinator. Starworks put me in touch with more clientele and several brands, which expanded my portfolio. After that, I moved to Los Angeles and began working with Jeffrey Deitch of Deitch Projects, who saw me doing a project with the Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art (LACMA). After a five year period working on special projects at the Museum Of Contemporary Art and other creative spaces I decided to move back to New York City where I am currently based.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I love morning coffee — Brooklyn has some the best little cafes. I typically start my day by checking emails, followed by a number of conference calls throughout the day. My lunch hour is usually a working lunch where I meet with editors, gallerists, and photographers to get the ball rolling on any and everything I can for whomever I am working with at that moment. I’m usually pitching stories and producing content, or developing angles for artists throughout these interactions. This goes on all day, everyday. For me, there is no in or out time, it’s on-going, always moving. A typical day for Jae Joseph is about catching the rhythm until the end goal is met. Even then, I am on to the next project, somewhere along the way.
How did you come to work with the artist Mickalene Thomas, and what is that experience like for you?
I came to work with Mickalene through a project I was collaborating on for Tumblr. I brought her on for this collaboration and from there we developed a friendship. Two years into our friendship, we began collaborations of our own on special projects, and the magic just continued to build between the two of us. It’s been very organic for us, it has all felt natural. I’ve handled some of her openings, and have been blessed to work with her to develop her communication strategy and model her digital footprint. Our latest work together is my facilitating the launch of her latest project, Deux Femmes Noires, which is also a collaboration with her partner, Racquel Chevremont.
This experience for me has been humbling. For me to be involved with Mickalene at the pinnacle of her career is a universe alignment, I feel. As well respected as she is, her partner, Racquel, is not only a collector but also an advisor — these two queer women are paving the way for so many others to show their work in the future, in the art world. It has been a privilege for me to work with alongside Mickalene to contribute to the amplifying of voices for artists of color.
Jae Joseph | Photo by Lauren Perlstein
What is the most challenging thing you face as a black queer man in the art world?
Challenges for me as a black man exist in the everyday aspects. By realizing that these challenges do exist, but not allowing them to become normalcies, then I do not allow them to prevent me from pushing forward. I try to always stay present, inspired, and fluid in the jumping of hurdles as a black man, as a professional, as a human being, and above all an effective communicator.
Throughout history, we know that art historians categorize decades into ‘eras’ and often seek to interpret work as it relates to political and social events. As a curator and someone embedded in the contemporary art world, what is your opinion on the work that has been created in the last 10-20 years (up to today) both nationally and internationally? What are you witnessing and experiencing? 50 years from now, how do you think art historians will describe this period?
Modern art in the 1860’s and 1970’s celebrated experimentation, and cast tradition aside. I think this work has been very important in leading us to where we are today in the art world. Through influence and contrast, I think today’s era is heavily saturated in consumerism. And the content of work being created today speaks to this vividly. I feel that this is the most widespread concept and active subject matter in the art world today, because art is a reflection of the human experience. This being communicated through an artist’s practice is what makes art so valuable. It’s the revolving question of art imitating life, and questing the inverse of that as well.
What’s coming up in 2018 we should all be on the lookout for?
I will be working on the Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative called the MOBI fest Art Party which is coming up this Spring in New York City. As Program Director, we have been assembling panel discussions with an amazing roster of Black Queer Identities, and are teamed up with the NYC Department of Health for a three-day citywide festival to provide a voice through interactive arts, film, fashion, and music. It’s about mobilizing and growing the voice of our community of men, through strength and keeping that audience inspired and engaged. Additionally I am currently working on producing my first performance series based on emotion and environment through soundscapes.
Follow Jae Joseph on Instagram: @jaejoseph
Editorial Credits:
Photography: Lauren Perlstein
Senior Photo Direction: Asher Torres
Grooming: Katie Robinson
Location: Beyond Studios NYC
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