To reconnect Pride to our community, we’re honoured to partner with Joe Average to create a one-of-a-kind bus wrap featuring his iconic piece, Bee Line. Look out for the bus at the Vancouver Pride Parade on Sunday, August 6!

 

Joe is a distinguished local artist and advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, known for his pop art and philanthropic work. One of his notable art includes the Equality Coin, a coin produced by the Royal Canadian Mint to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of decriminalizing homosexuality in Canada.

Considered a ‘self-portrait’, the Bee Line illustrates a swarm of bees going in the same direction except for one.

“I’m that one bee that’s always going in the other direction of the masses,” says Joe.

Using vivid colours and adding character to life forms like bees, Joe hopes to make people smile when they view his art.

“I like to make things the way I like to see the world – in a constant joyous state,” he says.

After being diagnosed with HIV in 1984 at age 27, Joe decided to commit the rest of his life to art. Through art, Joe raises awareness of HIV/AIDS, advocates for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and helps charities like the B.C. Children’s Hospital.

His contributions were recognized locally, nationally, and even by royalty. In 1991, Joe was one of 50 Canadians invited to a luncheon with Prince Charles and Princess Diana. In the same year, Joe’s art also won Canada’s first AIDS Awareness Week poster.

In 2021, Joe received the Order of British Columbia, the highest form of recognition in B.C.

We hope the Bee Line makes you smile and inspires you to embrace your uniqueness. You’ll see it buzzing throughout Metro Vancouver until the end of August.