Joey Brock, Celebrating Beauty and Diversity
Written by Abby Grace Cooper
In the scene of South Dallas, home to musicians, photographers, and design professionals, one figure stands out as both a creative and a catalyst for change. Joey Brock, a mixed-media portrait artist, with a background in fashion merchandising and a three-decade-long corporate career, has forged a unique path in the art world. With a commitment to storytelling and a passion for advocacy, Brock's artistic journey unfolds as a collection of his past, his personal experiences, and a dedication to celebrating humanity.
Brock's foray into the world of art began over twenty years ago, marked by an intuitive exploration of creativity. Armed with a degree in fashion merchandising, he embarked on a journey that saw the convergence of corporate life and artistic pursuits.
"Creativity's been in my DNA," Brock remarks, and this creative DNA is palpable in the stitching technique that has become a hallmark of his work, lending it a distinct and stylized fashion essence.
His corporate tenure, spanning 30 years in commercial real estate investment banking with giants like Goldman Sachs and the Royal Bank of Canada, presented a unique duality.
"I'm both the left and right brain. I'm very organized and focused, hyper-focused. But I'm also creative, and that's unusual sometimes with artists," he explains, offering a glimpse into the intersection of both his analytical and his artistic capacities.
A pivotal shift occurred in 2018 during a transformative residency in Brooklyn's Bushwick area. Stirred by a desire for more profound social and political impact, Joey transitioned from abstract works, inspired by the 50s and 60s abstract expressionist movement, to portraiture.
“I was showing with the gallery for seven years doing that. I wanted to do something that had more of an impact. I just turned 50 and wanted to make a change in my work,” he says.
The catalyst for this shift was a poignant self-portrait, an exploration of his experiences growing up as a gay man in Texas during the AIDS crisis. His mentor posed a crucial question: "Do you want to go back and make beautiful, fluff art? Or are you ready to cross that threshold into creating art that has a deeper meaning?"
Since then, Brock has been on a mission to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. "It's about celebrating humanity," he asserts.
His work, with its unique stitching approach, serves as a metaphorical patchwork, representing the diversity and beauty of the people in America.
"I like the thought of that," he adds, alluding to the quilting of different cultures and ideas.
Reflecting on the struggles faced by the LGBT plus community during the AIDS crisis, this artist emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding.
"It feels like people are not seeing you as a human but as some kind of otherworldly thing," he shares.
Through his portraits, he aims not only to give visibility to these communities but also to bridge the gap and foster empathy, particularly in a time when unity is essential.
“I think my sexuality has affected my work in a way that I wanted to tell stories of marginalized people. Whether that's part of the LGBT plus community or black, indigenous people of color, or even the challenges facing women today and their rights being slowly dismantled. I have a real need to tell those stories and give presence to those communities,” says Joey.
Aiming to provide a space where people can talk about what's impacted them but also expand on how they grew, he says, “That shifts the narrative to not just about the trauma, but about how they got through it. That's a message that can go to people that need to hear it, but it's also a way to build compassion with those that don't understand it. It's just about starting a conversation.”
Art, for this creator, along with many others, is a powerful tool for advocacy. As he channels his passion into the intricacies of the art world, he recognizes the shifting landscape and the need for a holistic approach.
"It's become more of a brand. It's not just about your art. It's about Joey Brock. Who does he represent? What is his brand?" He reflects, underscoring the evolving nature of artistic identity in the digital age.
Looking ahead, Brock envisions expanding his artistic footprint, breaking into the West Coast market with his first solo exhibition in Los Angeles this upcoming fall. His aspirations extend to establishing galleries in New York and potentially in Asian markets or Germany. The artist also harbors plans for delving into merchandise and fashion-based designs, exploring new dimensions of creativity and self-expression.
Collaboration is key for the artist, who seeks partnerships with entities like Nostalgia Noise, drawn to the brand’s sense of community and diversity. He envisions art as a collective experience, one that transcends traditional gallery settings.
"I think the art world is changing, and the standard practice of galleries has become a bit antiquated," he observes.
Nostalgia and Noise's dynamic platform, bridging various creatives, reflects the evolving culture that Joey believes holds the key to the future. Eager to contribute to this transformative movement, he works next to the N&N community continuing to shape an artistic landscape that embraces collaboration and celebrates the boundless potential of creative diversity.
By engaging with a broader audience through collaborations that blend art, music, and fashion, Brock aims to create a cultural experience that resonates with contemporary sensibilities.
As he continues to, quite literally, stitch together narratives of resilience, diversity, and positivity, Joey Brock emerges not only as an artist but also as a storyteller, advocate, and beacon of change in the art world. With each thread, he sews the fabric of transformation, inviting us to witness the beauty that emerges when art becomes a mirror reflecting the essence of humanity.
