Joel Crooms is a Newark N.J. born artist. Formally educated abandoning academia, he considers himself self-taught. With the help of his family and community. Reared in tumultuous times of change in America, he has always been supported by progressive individuals in groups. While offered opportunities by the dominant society / art world, so far he prefers the fringe. All of his work is political even flowers and trees. Most of it is reflective of the beautiful in the world and how we treat each other. In reference to his work, all he cares is to do and not be constrained by others or himself. And to continue to speak to cosmopolitan / universal issues. Life. The flowers and the babies: Idealistic? Yes!
Monica Hand, In memoriam of the lives lost in the war against humanity, from The Poetry Mail, October 14, 2015.
