Q. In one word how would you describe your work? A. Honest.Q. Because you feel, you do work honestly do you encounter problems with just how honest to be? A. I see it as a challenge, to remain diplomatic, [the work is done] in such a way that its there but only if you look hard enough, and are able to understand the code. Q. Do people have to know you well to know your code?A. No, it’s [the work] targeted for a certain audience who either get it or they don’t. Q. If a person isn’t part of your target audience and perceives something [in your work] differently from what you intended whilst making it is that person wrong? A. I try to keep my work aesthetically pleasing in order for the audience who don’t get it to still appreciate it; I would hope they find it “nice”.Joanne’s work is as she describes it, “nice”, and very aesthetically pleasing, there is however something that I cant quite put my finger on, maybe its because she does use text from The Holy Bible, or maybe its because her conviction when she is talking about her work is so strong. Q. I find that some of your work is highly moving and emotional, is that something you aim for in your audience’s reactions? A. Yes, for the right audience. I want my work to stir something up in their soul.Q. Do you mean emotionally or on a higher level than that? A. On a much higher level than that. Q. How do you achieve that goal [reaching people on a higher level] in you work? A. Its not the actual end result that is important, as in…. a painting or sculpture … its more about the thought and questioning that goes with it from the viewer. Q. So does your work make the audience ask specific questions? A. Not specific questions but I want to lead them onto a path of self belief, even when you’re in the eye of a storm you can still stand. Q. Do you think that you use your art almost as a form of therapy and if so do think this is an effective way to work? A. No, no I don’t. I believe that I have to make art and I have to make it in this way with hidden meanings, always with hidden meaning. Q. Is the source of the text more important than what it says?A.I use biblical text as a way of anointing, where people are unaware of the meaning and may find it attractive so they might ask, or research its origin. The words I use are really selective, and are meaningless without understanding… they are selected as key words.

 Joanne’s conviction in God is astounding; it seems in the face of adversity people still have hope. It’s her conviction that seems to compelling her to create extremely interesting pieces of work about what seems to have been, to me anyway, a very interesting life so far. What is also just as interesting is that she does it all without straying to the use of iconography, and garish colours, so often associated with religious art. I’m not sure if hers is religious art , as such, there is a definite spiritual element especially when talking to Joanne, but I felt whilst talking to her it didn’t over rule. 

My Comment:

I feel that perhaps I didn’t explain myself clearly enough when suggesting that I don’t mind if the audience finds my work to be “nice” as I am fully aware that this is a very slack word and an insult to any art-work. Though I do want my work to be attractive to a large variety of people, not just people who naturally read and understand art.

I try to keep it simple. As far as keeping my work set in an evangelical fashion; I feel that this is always sewn into the fabric of all the art-work that I create. (even the little things like locating materials)