Joe Average, a celebrated Vancouver artist and prominent advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and 2SLGBTQ+ rights, passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 67. His colourful artwork, which has graced Canadian stamps, loonies, and numerous murals across the city, was inspired by his journey living with HIV.
Joe Average, a local Vancouver artist and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, died on Christmas Eve at the age of 67. His sister Karin Carson described him as 'the best big brother' and said she is very proud of him. Average's goal was to change people's views on HIV/AIDS , and show the world you can live with the disease. He wanted his art to give people hope. Among his many honours, Average was named to the Order of Canada in 2024.
Average was told he was HIV-positive when he was 27 years old, a diagnosis that pushed him to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Born in Victoria but later a Vancouver local, he became well-known for his colourful artwork and his advocacy for HIV/AIDS awareness and 2SLGBTQ+ rights. His artwork has made its way onto a Canadian stamp and on a loonie designed for the Royal Canadian Mint, and has been featured in numerous banners and murals across Vancouver.He was appointed to the Order of B.C. in 2021 and the Order of Canada last summer. Michael Harding, a longtime friend of the artist, said he fondly remembers accompanying Average to Ottawa for the ceremony in June. 'When the Governor General's office called him to say he was getting the , he called me straight away and he said, 'Look, you were there at the beginning, so do you want to come?''Vancouver-based Janine Fuller, a prominent figure in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and Joe Average, an artist and AIDS advocate, were among the 13 British Columbians appointed to the Order of Canada this week. They spoke to the CBC about the honour. Harding, who first met Average in the early 1980s as a curator in Victoria, described him as a singular talent whose work deepened in resonance after his diagnosis
ARTIST HIV/AIDS 2SLGBTQ+ CANADA VANCOUVER
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