Josue Thomas: Art, Activism & The Power of Collaboration

Creating Beauty in a Time of Urgency

Los Angeles-based artist and designer Josue Thomas uses his work as a visual and cultural force, blending collage, photography, text-based polemics, and abstraction to reflect the urgencies of our political present. His posters and graphics, seen throughout Los Angeles and beyond during recent protests, have become emblems of resistance, representation, and racial equality. For Thomas, art must be rooted in purpose, insisting that beauty emerges only when set against the backdrop of real-world struggles.

From Hollywood to Gallery Dept.: A Space for Creativity

Born in Hollywood, California, in 1984, Thomas was immersed in art from an early age, influenced by his artist parents. His creative journey led him to open a multidisciplinary studio space in downtown LA, later expanding into Gallery Dept., a hybrid studio, brand, and experimental art laboratory.

Thomas’ mantra, “Collaborate, Create, Rebel”, guides his practice. His studio became a gathering space for painters, musicians, designers, and thinkers, fostering an organic exchange of ideas across disciplines.

Gallery Dept.: Where Art Meets Activism

Founded in 2017, Gallery Dept. evolved into a boundary-pushing platform in 2020, embodying Thomas’ belief in transparency, artistic process, and cultural messaging. His text-based works, such as:

ART THAT KILLS

STOP BEING RACIST

YOU ARE LATE!

RECYCLE Limited Editions

…have cemented his reputation as an artist unafraid to challenge and disrupt.

A Philosophy of Freedom & Exploration

Thomas' approach to art is about discovery and defying convention. He describes it as a journey where curiosity leads to unexpected paths, elevating human experience through inspiration and compassion:

"You have a destination. On your route, curiosity pays you a visit. It behooves you to explore alternate roads... Navigating life with the utmost freedom, conceiving an abundance of beauty... To be certain of your destination means you will always be at the right place at the right time." – Josue Thomas