By Name and Story: Joni Gordon

“So I’m Joni Gordon I am an artist, an artivist and I am a MFA in Visual Arts candidate at Sam Fox.

So an artivist is basically the combination of art and activism. So I tend to do work that covers issues that affects mainly the African diaspora so I bring awareness to that. Experimenting with different materials and I think the program allows that to happen, allows you to experiment a lot. My advisor Heather Bennett, she’s great. She’s very patient, kind of meets me where I’m at and help me to develop my skills.

The most valuable thing that I think I will take away from being here at WashU is the community and the persons who I’ve met and how the program allowed for experimentation. I start with an issue, then research that issue and from that research I try to transform that issue in a visual way. I want them to know about the history of the issue that I’m trying to talk about but also encourage them to be aware of what’s happening as well as teaching them. I want them to experience the experience that I’m trying to create.”

Video by TJ Ingrassia