Joan Cox

Joan Cox has dedicated her artwork to shedding light on the intimate relationships between women. Born in 1969, and coming of age in the vibrant era of the 1980s, Joan’s journey as an artist and as a lesbian has been a testament to self- discovery, empowerment, and the transformative power of art. Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, Cox navigated her formative years during a time when LGBTQ+ identities were often marginalized and silenced. As a closeted lesbian, she concealed her true self, grappling with the fear of societal judgment and rejection. Despite these challenges, Joan’s innate artistic talent and passion for creative expression provided her solace and an avenue for self-reflection. Joan pursued her artistic education, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Towson University in Maryland. Her earlier work showcased technical skill and emotional depth, but it was not until later in her life that she found the courage to openly express her own LGBTQ+ identity through her art. It was at the age of 25 that Joan finally came out, embracing her true self and finding liberation from the constraints of hiding her sexuality. She recognized that images of women loving each other were often relegated to the shadows, labeled as taboo or erotic material designed solely for the male gaze. Determined to rectify this imbalance, Joan committed herself to create large-scale figurative paintings that celebrated and normalized same-sex relationships. Through her art, Cox portrays the complex, dynamic, sensual, and loving relationships between women. Her subjects are drawn from her immediate circle, featuring her friends and lesbian couples in her community. She invites viewers into their lives and personal narratives. By sharing their stories, Joan aims to humanize and demystify lesbian relationships, fostering understanding, empathy, and acceptance. She holds an MFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her work is shown regularly in Mexico City, Mexico and Berlin, Germany and a host of other cities across the U.S.