A Retrospective of Works by Jo-Anne Bates

Explorations of COLOR 2.0 is a series of mixed-media prints with textual statements that represent the culmination of Jo-Anne Bates' life experiences—with a lens placed on the injustices experienced by young African American people. Jo-Anne's constant exploration and manipulation of print material, speaks to the value process that affects collective and individual transformation. Her work offers visual and textual topographies upon which we can personally reflect, and the broader geography of her creative impact can be seen in the generations of individuals who have found their voices through the artwork she has created.

Artist Bio

Jo-Anne Bates is a prolific artist and arts educator from Pittsburgh. As a prize-winning printmaker, she has exhibited at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Carnegie Museum of Art, and numerous regional and national galleries. Named the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts 2017 Artist of the Year, Bates continues to influence her community of artists and students with her work.

Bates has had an extensive career as an arts educator. After 29 years with the Pittsburgh Public School System, Bates has devoted her time to her artwork and serving on various committees, such as the Carnegie Institute, Museum of Art, Education Committee, Pittsburgh, PA; and Chairman, Friends of Art for the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Bates is professionally affiliated with such organizations as the Pittsburgh Print Group, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh National Conference of Artists; Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild; Society for Contemporary Crafts; and Women of Visions, Pittsburgh, PA; among others.

Artist Statement

My interest in printmaking developed as a result of a class with artist and printmaker George Nama. My work as a student, art teacher, print instructor, and printmaker turned into a passion. Over time, my prints have evolved from the traditional printmaking processes to more dynamic and unusual techniques. As time went on, I felt my work wasn’t exciting and that it was time to make some changes. A visit to South Africa-the Rainbow Country—had a major impact on my work. The magnificent colors and textures of this beautiful landscape gave me a renewed excitement and a desire to experiment more in my work.

Upon my return, I began exploring different processes using bold color combinations of ink and adding texture to the flat surface of the print. I started tearing, folding, overlapping, and gluing, thus changing the shape of the print so that it became more sculptural. I added text and drew over the surface using colored inks. Finally, by adding my shredded junk mail mixture to the surface and continuing to manipulate it with new mixed media monotype abstract prints has provided me with another opportunity for expressing my freedom and continues to serve as an ongoing necessary challenge.

The choice of including text in my work comes from my experience as a woman, mother, grandmother, and art teacher. This perspective has allowed me as an artist to explore new and different ways of using text, representing that people see, say, and hear. This is especially true of verbal injustices often directed at young African Americans. My work has often been referred to as philosophical road maps and with these works, I continue in that direction.

- Jo-Anne Bates