Joseph Jesse Ovalle

Joseph Jesse Ovalle is a multi-media artist who investigates the meaning of an object through material use, process and symbolism. He graduated from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville in 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a minor in Art history and received his MFA from Indiana University Bloomington. Joseph references historical and contemporary in his work to speak about topics such as: religion, race, politics, culture and American society. He has shown across the United States at various galleries, museums and educational institutions and currently has public sculptural work up for view at Kellogg Community College, Scovill Sculpture Park, and Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. Joseph is currently the Co-Director of the ‘In Art Gallery’ which is an online venue for artist to exhibit there work.

Artist Statement

This current work is a cumulation of constructed creatures, objects, and property influenced by my observations of the political world we live in. The sculptures are reflections of systems, cycles and architectures of oppression, suppression, and repression within the United States. I portray elected government officials that work within institutional systems such as: the United States government (both legislative, executive, and judicial) to create a visual critique of their character. The installation creates a generalized white representation of how I perceive the ‘governmental ecosystem’ and whitewashed world these leaders enforce. The environment hosts “creatures” and “devils” that inhabit a world they occupy and colonize.