Canadian Artist Joe Average Passes Away on Christmas Eve
The Canadian artist Joe Average passed away at the age of 67 in his sleep at his home in Vancouver on December 24, as reported by his friends and family on social media.
Average was serious about his AIDS activism and mission, despite maintaining a playful attitude. He was known for his humour and quickly became an unofficial figurehead of the West End, the historic Vancouver neighbourhood that houses the city’s first “gay village.” His murals have become integral to Vancouver’s civic identity.
The Man Behind Joe Average
After being diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, Joe Average, then 27 committed his life to creating uplifting art that celebrated the human spirit while also engaging in activism and philanthropy for those affected by AIDS and the broader LGBTQ+ community. Influenced by the West Coast post-punk outsider art movement, the artist—born Brock David Tebbutt in Victoria on 10 October 1957—adopted the name Joe Average.
The pseudonym was inspired by a character from a 1960s magazine called “The Average Joe,” stating, “I’m 5ft 8in, I’m average lookin’, got a C average in school. I thought, ‘This is perfect!’”
Joe Average’s Rise to Prominence
Joe Average rose to prominence after his HIV diagnosis at the age of 27. With his diagnosis clear, he believed he had only a few months to live. This motivated him; and challenged him to support himself through his art. Hence, he began hosting exhibitions in his Vancouver apartment in the West End. In his words, “Art was the only thing that I was ever good at. I did not want to be on my deathbed wondering if I could have succeeded as an artist,” And he sure did make waves.
Since then, his distinctive Pop art style—often compared to Keith Haring—was featured in paintings, prints, murals, postage stamps, and city banners. He received recognition from prominent AIDS activists, including the late Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor.
Joe Average’s Artworks
In 2019, he created the Equality Coin for the Royal Canadian Mint to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality. In 2021, he unveiled his mural, ‘One World, One Hope—40 Years Later’ commemorating the 40th anniversary of the first reported AIDS cases in the US. For this, he received the Order of BC, British Columbia’s highest recognition. It is now displayed on the north side of Helmcken House, a building in downtown Vancouver that offers affordable housing for those living with HIV and AIDS.
The mural’s stained-glass effect and vibrant, cartoon-like figures continue to resonate. It started as the winning design for a poster contest intended for Canada’s first national AIDS awareness week. This design was expanded by Joe Average in 1994; and commissioned for the 11th International AIDS Conference held in Vancouver in 1996. This image was also featured on Canada’s inaugural postage stamp acknowledging the epidemic.
Joe Average on One World, One Hope—40 Years Later
On his mural, Joe Average commented, “The stained-glass effect represents the fragility of all mankind in the face of AIDS. The heart at the centre represents love, which I have always believed is the only thing that can move us forward and truly end this epidemic. I hope this reminds everyone of the work that is still needed in education, stigma removal and funding as we continue to search for crucial treatments and vaccines.”
Awards and Accolades Conferred Upon Joe
Average received numerous awards and accolades, such as the Governor General’s award and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal. Just weeks before his passing, he was awarded the Order of Canada, the nation’s highest honour.
In 2002, Vancouver’s then-mayor Philip Owen declared November 3 as “Joe Average Day,” honouring his work in combating homophobia and supporting AIDS charities like ‘A Loving Spoonful.’
Van Dop Gallery on Joe Average’s Demise
Van Dop Gallery, New Westminster, BC represents his work. On his loss, the gallery noted, “His pop art has captured the attention of international art critics, royalty, celebrities, and the public. His work is a visionary kaleidoscope of colour, creativity and compassion. Living with HIV for the past 20 years, the self-taught Joe Average has earned international recognition as an advocate for AIDS, an artist and a noted philanthropist.”
Image Courtesy – The Buzzer Blog – TransLink
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