B2B Meets: Jae Joseph

More than an influencer or curator, Jae Joseph is a tastemaker in every sense of the word. From art to fashion to advertising, we sat down with Jae to discuss art, inspiration and culture.

How did you start your career and get into curating?
I don’t consider myself to be a curator. I believe myself to be more of a “cultural producer”, from art to fashion and film. This path began in modelling and entertainment, then working in agencies, from public relations to advertising. Several key moments were significant to future me. I had mentors who were fashion editors, model agents, and gallery owners. I assume they all saw the same drive and determination in me and knew that I was creating a very niche career pathway for myself.

Your hands are in several different pots, how do you manage the work variety?
Managing the work variety comes from compartmentalizing your efforts, not letting one slip because you’re giving another one attention at that moment. It gives you the advantage of outsourcing talent and creatives to aid you in projects both on the planning and development end.

You often make a point of differentiating yourself from an influencer, why is that?
I don’t consider myself an influencer I’m far too seasoned to adopt that term. I am a tastemaker this comes with experience and cache. These are ways of life I may have inherited from a group of thought leaders, family members, innovators and artist who had some sort of impact on my life any personal experiences. All of these experiences contribute to the many facets of myself; in the way that travel, the foods I eat, the music of choice playing in my home on a Saturday morning. These are things acquired, yet inspired by the calibre of people and places that I have been impressed and exposed too.

How do you see the curating landscape progressing? 
Humans want a more authentic experience, the fluff we are surrounded with daily is dying fast.

What art era is your favourite/inspires you the most?
The Black Era, the current era, the now, what’s trending and what could be able to influence the asses in a way which could permanently shift culture.

How do you think today’s culture with gender, politics has influenced art?
Black Art does just that, black art is fine art, it is contemporary, it is architectural, it is provocative, and its most certainly educational.

What is your favourite gallery in New York?
Anyone pushing the agenda to promote artist of colour with misappropriating the artist integrity or narrative.

What advice would you give to young artists?
Keep your ass in the studio and create the work, as many bodies of work that you can so that when the time comes you a solid catalogue.