Bonobos - The Last Embrace

Many subspecies of apes are at dire risk of extinction. Bonobos, who are peaceful, intelligent, and share 98.7% of human DNA, are among the most endangered of the apes. Habitat destruction due to climate change and human encroachment, poaching, and civil unrest are pushing them to brink of extinction. As their females only give birth every 5 to 6 years, they struggle to recover once depleted. Traditional taboos against killing these peaceful, intelligent creatures are breaking down due to human economic desperation and population expansion, making poaching the largest threat to the species.

Joan was born and raised in Philadelphia, where her lifelong impulse to interpret the world through visual art first took root. She began formal painting studies in the Chicagoland area in the early 2000s, training for two decades under artist Enid Silverman and embracing Silverman’s deep affection for oil on canvas. Her work reflects the influence of frequent moves and travels within the US and abroad. Adopting North Dallas as home in the 2020's, her life experiences and travels continue to shape her evolving artistic language. Each new life chapter becomes a catalyst for transformation on the canvas, reflecting an ever-deepening dialogue between her inner experience and the world around her.