Tributes pour in for late Vancouver artist and activist Joe Average | Daily Hive

Joe Average

Beloved Vancouver artist and activist Joe Average has passed away, and tributes are pouring in for a man who will be “deeply missed by many.”

Average, an award-winning artist, philanthropist, and LGBTQ2+ rights and AIDS awareness advocate, passed away on Christmas Eve.

Now friends and colleagues are sharing heartfelt memories of the artist who only a few months ago was appointed to the Order of Canada.

Thinking of Joe Average and the immense difference he made through his art, and by being Joe. He was anything but average. He will be deeply missed by many. pic.twitter.com/LRMnDtlnUK

— Spencer Chandra Herbert (@SChandraHerbert) December 28, 2024

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Joe Average, who was born Brock David Tebbutt in Victoria, BC on October 10, 1957, was also appointed to the Order of BC in 2021.

In an interview with Daily Hive, he shared that he deeply honoured by the recognition.

“This is something I never expected and I feel thrilled, humbled and, as a BC boy, incredibly proud, especially being selected along with the other wonderful recipients this year,” Average said. “People might be surprised to learn that I was not honoured for my art but in recognition of my long-time philanthropic efforts. That means a great deal to me.

“At age 30, a few years into my own HIV diagnosis, I challenged myself to live solely off the proceeds of my art. Things were very tight for a very long time and, as someone who believes deeply in helping others, it was a huge regret that I couldn’t afford to give money to worthy causes in the community. Things changed once charitable organizations realized that my artwork could raise money at auction.

“I would donate drawings, paintings, prints to anyone who asked and it thrilled me to see how my work could make a difference. To be honest, that was recognition enough. This honour is really icing on the cake.”

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A post shared by Joe Average (@joebrockaverage)

Longtime friends and supporters of Average are paying tribute to the “extraordinary human being.

Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Joe Average on Xmas Eve.
Joe was an iconic #Vancouver artist and activist whose work had a profound impact on our city’s arts and culture scene.
The @SpaceCentreYVR is just one of many organization that was touched by Joe’s… pic.twitter.com/SZ1ff4iHlS

— Lorraine Lowe (@lorrainelowe_) December 28, 2024

Sad the passing of Joe Average, the extraordinaryily gifted BC artist and LGBT2SI activist. His talent and iconic art will be no more. It will be a loss. RIP, dear friend.

— Dr. Hedy Fry (@HedyFry) December 28, 2024

Joe Average’s work captured the resiliency of the human spirit and gave powerful voice to the HIV/AIDS community at a time when those who were afflicted so often found themselves rejected and feared. His art inspired us and raised awareness in ways words alone could not.

Joe… pic.twitter.com/ij8Jrbn7sH

— Christy Clark (@christyclarkbc) December 28, 2024

Average’s artwork can be seen all over the city, including his One World, One Hope – 40 Years Later, which was unveiled as part of Vancouver Mural Fest 2021. It can be found on the north wall of Helmcken House at 649 Helmcken Street, high above Granville.

Joe Average

The mural, which was designed by Average and painted by Angelica Stirpe, is a reflection of the artist’s decades-long advocacy for people living with HIV while coping with HIV health issues himself. One World, One Hope – 40 Years Later is also a larger-than-life version of the One World, One Hope artwork he created for the XI International AIDS Conference in Vancouver in 1996.