"Turning toward the opening of the soul."
Josh Sessoms is a contemporary artist focusing on figures that encapsulate the mystery, dynamism and poetic nature of the African and Caribbean diasporas. Exemplification of grace, dignity, love, and power is a starting point from which he begins his artistic musings.
Sessoms uses the ethereal nature of imagery to infuse thematic and historical narratives with the realm of collective consciousness. Throughout his work references to ancient African-Caribbean cosmogony, mythology, spirituality and rituals are found.
His primary artistic objective is to inspire those within the African and Caribbean diasporas to revive their collective memories of divinity, royalty and cultural ingenuity. Through his imagery, he aspires to establish a cultural and intellectual dialogue with the viewer; from which collective innovative ideas can be built upon and implemented.
EDUCATION
The Art Institute of Philadelphia
2010 | Bachelor of Science - Graphic Design
Philadelphia, PA, USA
TELEVISION, VIDEO + PERFORMANCE
Random Acts of Flyness (HBO) — Concept Artist: Season 1, Episode 3 (2018)
Shabazz Palaces, “Thanking the Girls” — Lyric Video Directed and Edited by Josh Sessoms (2020)
Center Theatre Group, “George Floyd: The Father of the Reimagined America” — Directed by Lakisha May and written by John Lee Gaston White. Animation, Illustration & Key Art by Josh Sessoms (2021)
BOOKS
The Library of Esoterica: Volume III - Witchcraft — Taschen, November 2021. Edited by Jessica Hundley & Pam Grossman. Published Artwork: “So Tonight That You May See”.
PRESS + FEATURES
It’s Nice That — “Taschen Charts the Figure of the Witch Throughout the History of Art,” written by Dalia Al-Dujaili, (2021)
NBC Los Angeles — Animation Feature: "CTGLA Hosts Theatre Performance Inspired by George Floyd" (2021)
Muse Origins — Artist Feature: "Caribbean Spirituality by Josh Sessoms" (2021)
Essence Magazine — “The Playlist: Shabazz Palaces Shows Gratitude,” written by Kevin L. Clark, (2020)
Fubiz Media — “African Cultural Inspired Drawings by Josh Sessoms,” written by Alix Madec, (2019)
The Inspiration Grid — Artist Feature: "African-Caribbean Inspired Artworks by Josh Sessoms" (2019)
Phantasmaphile — Artist Feature: "Reverie (Ode to Damballah VI)," (2017)
Juxtapoz Magazine — "Reviving Collective Memories with Josh Sessoms" (2016)
Black Contemporary Art — Artist Feature: "Ritual Spirit," (2016)
The Huffington Post — "Contemporary Drawings of Ancient Goddesses are Literal Black Girl Magic," written by Priscilla Frank, (2016)
VICE: The Creators Project — "Artist Depicts Black Female Nudes as Ancient Egyptian Goddesses," written by Antwaun Sargent, (2016)
Supersonic Art — Artist Feature, (2016)
Beyond Classically Beautiful — "Meet an Artist Who Draws Black Women as Ancient Goddesses," written by Abi Ishola, (2016)