Joseph Velasquez harnesses the power of printmaking to bring the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to life through vibrant yard sign posters and t-shirts. Inspired by the iconic graphic style of Keith Haring, he skillfully employs Screenprinting to infuse each poster with a fun visual resonance.
These posters/t-shirts are slated to play a pivotal role as welcoming beacons for attendees at FAU's Peace, Justice, and Human Rights (PJHR) event this December. Joseph's artistic vision transforms human rights principles into vivid, accessible imagery, creating a powerful visual narrative that resonates with the spirit of inclusivity and justice.
Velasquez extends his creative touch to the event's atmosphere by Screenprinting custom T-shirts inspired by the yard signs to give attendees a fun and unique commemorative item.
Joseph Velasquez, a Chicano artist and founder of Drive By Press, boasts a diverse artistic journey enriched by a childhood spent in 22 public schools across San Fernando, CA, El Paso, TX, and Austin, TX. Raised by a single parent with a nomadic profession, Joseph's graphic influences stem from the murals, graffiti tags, tattoos, and inky impressions of his upbringing.
Published by Cannonball Press in Brooklyn, New York, Joseph's work has reached national and international acclaim, including exhibitions at the 54th La Biennale di Venezia in Venice, Italy. Notably, he received a National Endowments for the Arts grant in 2017 for his Carnival of INK community-based printmaking project in Sheboygan, WI.
As the founder of Drive By Press, a mobile print studio, joseph has traveled the country giving demonstrations, lectures, and presentations on printmaking. He has blended his passion for art and design with event marketing, touring with indie bands like SPOON, and has worked with corporate clients like Nike, the NBA, and Duvel Belgian Ale. Joseph's ten years of driving-by spreading the ink covered over 200,000 miles and involved live printing of hand-carved woodblocks on t-shirts at hundreds of universities and venues. Despite the allure of mobile studio touring, Joseph's heart remains in academia. Currently an Associate Professor of Art at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, he shares his expertise, lectures on contemporary print practices, and conducts nationwide educational print demonstrations. Joseph Velasquez's commitment to inspiring students has left an indelible mark, creating hundreds of new fans and followers of printmaking nationwide.
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