Joi Lowe

Artist Statement

Joi Lowe is a visual artist and certified Montessori Guide known for her mixed-media paintings and tapestries that explore African American life, maternal relationships, and the transformation of natural and recycled materials. She has been an artist for over two decades and frequently exhibits her work in Maryland.

"Colors of Ellsworth Street" is a mixed-media dedication to my cherished friend, Hugh "Terry" Pennington. When I lived in Philadelphia, Terry’s home on Ellsworth Street was my second home, a sanctuary that was somber, wise, and gentle, much like the elements within it. Terry’s generous spirit and his fundamental role in providing a safe space inspired me to recreate a visual memory of this cherished refuge.

After relocating to Southern Maryland, I frequently found myself thinking of his house, recalling the deep shades of green and the presence of ancestral artifacts. In my new life near the Chesapeake Bay, I find peace in collecting relics—driftwood, shells, and sea glass—materials I know Terry would appreciate. "Colors of Ellsworth Street" merges these new coastal textures with the memory of his home, using the incorporation of yarn to bind together the color of the walls at Ellsworth and the artifacts of my new surroundings.
This piece is a synthesis of memory and place, a tribute to a quiet, supportive sanctuary and a testament to the lasting impact of a dear friend.