About the Artist
Ashley Joi’s work as a multidisciplinary artist reflects a deep connection to her African ancestry, blending symbolism and diverse materials to create powerful emotional narratives. Her art is a dialogue between past and present, drawing on African mythology, history, and themes of social impact. She incorporates found objects and natural materials to evoke a sense of resilience and resourcefulness, representing the ways African-American culture formed and has evolved with limited resources. Her creative process often layers meaning, both literal and metaphorical, through the subjects she chooses and the composition of each piece. Whether working in mixed media or other forms, her work embodies a rich cultural heritage while addressing contemporary social issues, making it both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Ashley Joi’s journey with art began at the early age of four. Encouraged by her family, she quickly developed a passion for visual creation, winning numerous awards for both her visual and performing arts talents during her youth. In high school, she earned an International Baccalaureate certificate in painting and attended the Governor’s School residency art program in Richmond, VA, further honing her skills and artistic voice. Ashley also received Scholastic Arts Awards, affirming her talent early in her career.
Ashley Joi’s art has been exhibited in prominent venues and galleries across the U.S. and internationally, emphasizing her impact within the artistic community. She has been highlighted and presented by notable institutions and organizations such as the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Anacostia Arts Center and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and at the Kyoto Shibori Museum in Japan. In 2019 Joi was commissioned to create artwork in response to the Georgetown University Law Center for the Center on Poverty and Inequality Girlhood Interrupted study, and the work is a part of the Georgetown University art collection. In 2025, Ashley’s original work “Mother Harriet’s Smile” was gifted to the Secretary of the Smithsonian by the Honorable Sharon Pratt, and became a part of the private collection of Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch.
In 2023 Ashley Joi was awarded for her impactful piece titled “American Child” in the FAMILY exhibit at Richmond, Virginia's Artspace gallery. The piece sought to raise awareness and support for children’s welfare in relation to the psychological impact of gun violence in schools. The exhibit specifically benefited ChildSavers, an organization dedicated to improving the mental health and development of children through trauma-informed services and early intervention. Joi’s work in the exhibit was recognized for its emotional depth and social relevance, contributing to the exhibit’s broader mission of advocating for child well-being. This recognition continues to highlight her commitment to using art as a tool for social impact.
Artist Statement
Ashley Joi is a multidisciplinary artist whose work fuses a myriad of techniques and materials to communicate emotion. Often channeling the resilient practices of her African ancestors, Ashley Joi disguises layered meaning within her work through literal symbolism, composition, and subject. The Artist also incorporates found objects, natural materials, and food items as a reference to her African-American heritage and the development of a rich and diverse culture manifested with limited resources.
