One on One with Joha Harrison

Blessings Joha, tell the readers a little about yourself.

Blessings. I’m 39 years old, but I’ll be in my prime until my last few breaths. Some of my favorite hobbies are taking photographs, making films, and traveling. I could travel for the rest of my life. I love learning about new places and cultures. Some of my favorite foods are crabs and crawfish.

You have a unique name, does Joha stand for something or have a special meaning?

Thank you. It’s an initialism, and means “one who gives life” I hated my name when I was younger because no one knew how to pronounce it. Some people would say it wrong and others would make fun of it. In elementary school, I researched name changes and found it cost $100 dollars. When I went to my mom to ask her her could I change my name, I watched her die inside. From that point on I embraced my name and as I got older, I realized it was the perfect name for me.

What and who inspired you to become an artist?

So many answers to this question. My parents. All of the influences that they decorated our home with. They exposed us to so many different types of art from African masks, sculptures, paintings, prints, Cornel West and “I Dream A World” on the coffee table, Bob Marley, Sade, and DMX on the stereo. My teachers also, because we were always doing art in class.

When did you begin creating art? I started making art in elementary school and then I was making art at home and it was kinda this thing that was fun for me and it allowed me to spend time with myself. So, probably 2nd grade.

What is your medium of art? What attracted you to that style?

Medium: I would have to say mixed media. But any painting I make could be different. It could be all paint, all paper, all photography, or a mixture of everything, it’s just what I feel at the time.

I was attracted to these styles by experimenting and developing sense of what I like with each media. Then I take what I like and mix it together, or expound on the aspects that I like.

What inspires you to create a new piece?

Innate feelings, that feeling of having to express a painting out of me; and see what it looks like. Sometimes the pain I feel, I need to get it out by way of motion and creating. Taking the ugly pain and physically working it, and turning it into something beautiful. Also money to pay these bills.

When creating a new piece what does your creative routine/process look like?

My creative process is a mix of intense thinking and action, and sometimes I have to just get the canvas “dirty” so I won’t think forever. In this current time, I like to start with a background, then I decide how I want the piece to look or feel. Then I continue to let the piece speak to me. Depending on the time of the day, I may let sunshine in or light some candles. And music is a must, always.

Besides art what else captures your attention/interests? Is it a special cause, another form of creativity, or something else altogether?

Well, I’ve been a photographer for over 20 years. Photography was birthed out of my family moving from Louisiana to Georgia and me not wanting to leave my junior year in high school. So I acquired multiple disposable cameras per week, from the local grocery store and took photos of everything I wanted to remember. Filmmaking came about from my understanding of photography and knowing that if I can take great photographs, then I can direct great films. So I created a new era for myself.

Congratulations on being a recipient of The Black Artists Foundry award. How has winning the award helped further your creative endeavors?

Thank you. Being a recipient of The Black Artists Foundry Award, was instrumental in my development and progression. It gave me confidence, knowing that someone believed in me and my art. It also allowed me the opportunity to have space and breathe for a second so that I could focus on my work and career.

The black history we have been taught is just the tip of the iceberg. The history of our people is deep, vast, and goes way back. What’s a moment in black history that empowers and encourages you more than anything else?

A moment in black history that encourages and empowers me is when Kunta refused to be called Toby. But for real, a moment that gives me energy when I first learned about Shaka Zulu. Also watching the juxtaposition of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

What advice would you give to a new artist based on your own personal experiences?

Based on my personal experiences the advice I would give a young artist is follow your heart and make the art that you want to make, don’t let your voice be muzzled.

As of lately, have you had any successful breakthroughs?

A successful breakthrough that I’ve had was completing my first commercial commission painting

What has been your proudest moment as an artist?

I have a lot of proud moments, but the moments that mean the most to me are the times when I was pushed and overcame myself; and produced timely art that needed to be seen. “Untitled” was the name of the installation I made at “Coordinates” in Sacramento California; this was one of this was one of those moments.

What key lessons did you learn last year that you’ve implemented this year in 2023?

The lesson that I learned last year was patience. Patience and relentlessness.

How can people support you?

People can support me by buying work, buying prints, donate, or just send a smile. Or you can tell someone about my work.