ARTIST STATEMENT 

My work blurs the awareness and the unconscious through automatic gestures of color and form. My present abstracted work is this intuitive output of conversational pieces: A meditation through different mind, body, and spirit layerings. These conversations using a palette of mixed media are stories with a vocabulary of brilliant colors, with textual forms that dance and sit in a harmonious state of peace and moments of chaos. I approach life with an unrestrained sense of wonder, continually driven by a deep curiosity to explore the full scope of my human potential. My work reflects this deep contemplation with an introspection into spirituality and the playful nature of the self. 

The words of Alma Thomas, "...Through color, I have sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness, rather than on man's inhumanity to man," have profoundly influenced my work. Like Thomas, I strive to create art that celebrates beauty and happiness, offering a respite from the world's harsh realities.  

The work is a dialogue, a self-reflection between my mind's observations of being a human within our society. 

With a decade of practice, my career has evolved into creating myself as an instrument—the practice of cultivating this mind, body, and spirit toward exhibiting my unique expression. My work inspires and encourages others to interpret and contemplate these works and ideas personally. Through your interpretations, we can learn about who and what we are as a collective and as individuals. We all have differences and similarities that contribute to the whole.  

My work reflects my personal growth as a human and, consequently, as an artist.  Each piece is a collage of my thoughts, struggles, and breakthroughs as a young black man navigating and understanding his place in the world. This quote by James  Baldwin encapsulates my experience and philosophy of my work: "You have to  decide who you are and force the world to deal with you, not with its idea of you."

Josef Isaiah Keyes, originally from Washington, D.C., and now residing in Baltimore, Maryland, draws inspiration from introspection. His abstract mixed-media artworks delve into profound themes such as beauty, self-discovery, and the intricate connection between the mind, body, and soul.

Josef Isaiah has made significant strides in contemporary art by participating in numerous group exhibitions. His debut solo exhibition in 2023 at Foundry Gallery in the heart of Washington, D.C., was a notable milestone in his artistic journey, showcasing his innovative and introspective creations. Currently, Josef Isaiah is furthering his practice by pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Group Shows

Art on the Rise Group Exhibit / Curator: Far SE Collaborative / Signal House / Washington, DC / 2022

Reality / Foundry Gallery / Washington, DC / 2022

The INCLUDE Art Exhibition / Curator: Marlon Powell / The Yard DC / Washington, DC / 2021

Harmony / Curator: Josef Isaiah Keyes / The Village DC / Washington, DC / 2020

Subjective Nature / Curator: Kilolo Luckett / August Wilson African American Cultural Center / Pittsburgh, PA / 2019

Operation Consent / Curator: Elise Dorsey / The Stew / Washington, DC / 2018

If I Knew Then What I Know Now /Curator: Hadaiyah Bey / PGAAM and Cultural Center/ North Brentwood, MD /2018

Operation Consent / Curator: Elise Dorsey / Studio 301 / Brooklyn, NY/ 2017

Lusting Love / Curator: Amir Browder / Homme DC / Washington, DC / 2017

Solo Shows

Can They Hear Me Now… / Foundry Gallery / Washington, DC / 2023