Josef Isaiah Keyes, originally from Washington, D.C., and now residing in Baltimore, Maryland, draws inspiration from introspection. His abstract mixed-media artworks delve into profound themes such as beauty, self-discovery, and the intricate connection between the mind, body, and soul.

Josef Isaiah has made significant strides in contemporary art by participating in numerous group exhibitions. His debut solo exhibition in 2023 at Foundry Gallery, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., marked a notable milestone in his artistic journey, showcasing his innovative and introspective creations. Currently, Josef Isaiah is furthering his artistic practice by pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Endless Summer / Curator: Balmoré Art / Washington, DC / 2025

Can They Hear Me Now… / Foundry Gallery / Washington, DC / 2023

Art on the Rise Group Exhibit / Curator: Far SE Collaborative / Signal House / Washington, DC / 2022

Reality / Foundry Gallery / Washington, DC / 2022

The INCLUDE Art Exhibition / Curator: Marlon Powell / The Yard DC / Washington, DC / 2021

Harmony / Curator: Josef Isaiah Keyes / The Village DC / Washington, DC / 2020

Subjective Nature / Curator: Kilolo Luckett / August Wilson African American Cultural Center / Pittsburgh, PA / 2019

Operation Consent / Curator: Elise Dorsey / The Stew / Washington, DC / 2018

If I Knew Then What I Know Now /Curator: Hadaiyah Bey / PGAAM and Cultural Center/ North Brentwood, MD /2018

Operation Consent / Curator: Elise Dorsey / Studio 301 / Brooklyn, NY/ 2017

Lusting Love / Curator: Amir Browder / Homme DC / Washington, DC / 2017

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work engages in a dialogue between awareness and the unconscious, unfolding intuitively through automatic gestures of color and form. Each piece serves as a meditation, its layers formed through the integration of mind, body, and spirit. I focus on abstraction, using mixed media to convey a personal vocabulary of vibrant colors, expressive textures, and forms that shift between harmony and chaos. Inspired by artists such as Alma Thomas, I aspire to create work that embodies beauty and joy.

I create to inspire contemplation, healing, and happiness. In the words of Thomas, “Through color, I have sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness.” I carry this philosophy, particularly in a world that is often stained by disconnection and division. As a self-taught artist who returned to formal study, I approach life and art with an unrestrained curiosity and a drive to explore the full scope of my human potential. My practice has become a path of transformation, a way to align mind, body, and spirit into a singular, expressive instrument.

Through this, my work becomes a mirror: a reflection of self-discovery, resilience, and wonder. I create to understand myself better, and in doing so, invite others to do the same. Each piece is a personal and universal collage of thoughts, struggles, and breakthroughs, navigating intricate layers of identity and existence. In the words of James Baldwin, “You have to decide who you are and force the world to deal with you, not with its idea of you.” This truth is embedded in my practice.