Artist Statement:
Jo Cosme, a Native Boricua multidisciplinary artist, harnesses the mediums of photography, video, and installations to confront social issues entwined with the enduring colonization of her Homeland, Borikén (colonially known as Puerto Rico). Following her displacement to Seattle, WA, after Hurricane María, she was struck by the lack of awareness among North Americans regarding their nation's exploitative relationship with hers. This fueled her to create works that incite contemplation on the effects of disaster capitalism and colonialism within what history textbooks designate as, “the World’s oldest Colony.”
Her first-ever solo show titled, "Welcome to Paradise: ¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre!," is an immersive multimedia installation that delves into the stark disparity between North Americans' voyeuristic perception of Puerto Rico as a Caribbean paradise and the harsh reality endured by Native Boricuas across generations.
Showing this project in the continental US will serve as an educational experience, raising awareness of and action against US Imperialism. The work’s goal is for North American audiences to contemplate what it’s like to be a Native inhabitant of the places they vacation to and/or take land from. How are they participating in the power dynamics perpetuated by internalized settler mindsets and US Imperialism? Welcome to Paradise aims to provoke conversations on the effects of disaster capitalism and neocolonialism in places such as Borikén, Puerto Rico.
Artist Bio:
Jo Cosme, a Native Boricua multimedia artist from Borikén, Puerto Rico, faced displacement to Seattle following Hurricane María’s landfall. She was deeply struck by North Americans’ lack of awareness regarding their nation’s exploitative and ongoing colonial relationship with her homeland archipelago. Through digital media and installations, Cosme contrasts the romanticized idea of Borikén, PR, as a Caribbean paradise with the stark reality of a People enduring colonial subjugation for over 5 centuries.
Holding a BFA in photography from PR’s School of Fine Arts, Cosme’s work has graced venues globally, including Museo de las Américas (PR), Whatcom Museum (WA), Alexandria Museum of Art (LA), and Galerie Rivoli 59 (Paris). By 2021 she earned the Puerto Rican Fellowship for MASS MoCA’s A4A Residency. The following year, she received grants from the Collective Power Fund and Artist Trust. In 2023, she received the Bernie Funk Artist Scholarship, CityArtist grant, McMillen Foundation Fellowship, and 4Culture’s Arc Fellowship. Cosme kicked off 2024 at Inscape Arts and Cultural Center’s arts residency, leading to the inauguration of her first solo show, Welcome to Paradise: ¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre! at Seattle’s 4Culture Gallery.
Welcome to Paradise is a growing body of work meant to tour the continental US, aiming to educate and mobilize against US Imperialism and disaster capitalism. It challenges audiences to confront their complicity in perpetuating power dynamics and internalized settler mindsets during travel. Cosme intends to expand the project throughout the year, culminating in an arts residency at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in the fall.
For all ART inquiries:
jocosmeart@gmail.com
Freelance Work
I'm a versatile visual artist from Río Piedras, Puerto Rico - currently based in Seattle. I obtained my BFA in Photography in 2014 from the Escuela de Artes Plásticas in Puerto Rico. Over the past nine years, I've honed my craft through freelance work in various media-related capacities, such as photography, video production, and design.
Recently, I completed the Emerging Ars Leadership Design Internship program at the Seattle Art Museum, further refining my skills in visual content creation for diverse platforms such as social media, websites, and print. During the program, I gained valuable insights into collaborating effectively across departments to meet project deadlines with precision and creativity.
For freelance or collaboration inquiries:
jocosmephoto@gmail.com