November 17, 2017 is a date that Jo-Anne Bates will never forget.
Years of work, years of dedication, and now, a high honor bestowed—She was named Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts 2017 Artist of the Year.
At the Nov. 17 event at PCA, people were treated to new works by Bates, including “Sankofa Soul” and “Exploration of Color.”
The Artist of the Year award, according to a PF/PCA news release, recognizes an individual, established in their field, who has displayed significant and enduring artistic contributions to the region, and provides support for them to create a new body of work for exhibition. Bates’ exhibition, “Exploration of Color,” featured a series of mixed-media, abstract monotype prints. The reintroduction of textual statements to her arsenal represent a culmination of her experiences as a woman, mother, grandmother, and educator.
“The words and statements represent expressions people see, say, and hear. My work has often been referred to as philosophical road maps and these new prints continue in that direction,” Bates said in the release. “Creating these prints provides an outlet for creative freedom and continues to be an ongoing and necessary challenge for me.”
The colors and textures of the landscape of South Africa, the “Rainbow Country,” were a major inspiration for her recent work. The injustice young African American men and women face also inform the work, the release mentioned, as evidenced by pieces entitled “Black Lives Matter 2” and “Black vs. Blue Don’t Shoot.” These prints feature bold color combinations and textured surfaces and have been folded, overlapped and glued to form two-dimensional sculptures. The show also included an installation that incorporated athletic sneakers donated by the community during an open call period.
Bates, in accepting the award at the event, showered many with thanks. Also, “My sister, Judy Davenport, and my three sons have continued to give me their encouragement and support when I needed it the most,” Bates said. “Many thanks to my extended family, to the arts community, to my many friends and colleagues.
“My one regret is that my parents are no longer here to share this award with me,” Bates said. “I will remember this as one of the highlights of my career.”
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