Joey DeRuy
Petite de Alebrijes. The Palette Particles Within.
This body of work by Joey DeRuy is a reimagining of art history with the inclusion of neurodiversity, LGBTQ, intuition, and self-expression that are accepted as part of what makes society balance in light. DeRuy’s work connects personal experiences with the wonders of the universe, inspired by ideas pulled from quantum science and the nature of particles.
Joey’s work dives into how the hidden forces around us shape our lives - reflecting the complexities of being human. Joey DeRuy started drawing to communicate and cope with the challenges of childhood trauma. The chaos of 2020 pushed him to look inward, helping him recognize patterns of behavior he had developed to navigate an overwhelming world.
DeRuy’s journey has led to greater clarity and freedom, guiding him through his experiences with trauma, a later in life neurodiversity diagnosis, and the search for self-understanding. I began using art to grapple with ADHD and dyslexia whileprocessing past traumas. Now, he aims to create art that resonates with others who feel alone in their struggles.
“I want my work to offer a sense of connection and empowerment, inviting viewers to explore my own identities” says Joey DeRuy.
By sharing his story and the lessons learned along the way, Joey DeRuy hopes to foster a space in which people can find comfort and realize they are not alone. Through his art, DeRuy celebrates our shared humanity and the strength that comes from being vulnerable - encouraging everyone to reflect on what it means to exist in a world full of possibilities.
Biography:
Born in Albuquerque New Mexico, my family left when I was a baby to travel for work, lending equal time for growing up in Maine to the Midwest and even Kenya Africa. My teen years were spent in Missoula, Montana. I would receive my first Gallery exposure between the ages of 14 and 16 and my first national public exposure by the age of 18.
In 1999, I moved to Dallas, Texas where I was encouraged to pursue a career in art. A few years later, I moved to California for work. I have been in California ever since.
I received a later in life diagnosis of being on the neuro-divergence spectrum.
“Through painting and performance, my experiences with ADHD, dyslexia, and the challenges of conversion therapy as a child have profoundly shaped my evolving artistic expression. My work aims to foster understanding and empowerment for those navigating similar journeys.”
History:
Education
2009 — CCSF, San Francisco, CA.
1995 — Maranatha Academy, Nashua, NH.
1988 — Rift Valley Academy, Kenya Africa
Select Exhibitions
2024—Freshy world Sneakers brand Instillation for Gurus Magazine
2023—City of west Hollywood Holiday Banners for the month of December
2023—Postcards from Paradise Group Show for Voss Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2019—Bombay Sapphire Bergamot Station, Building Bridges Art Exchange, Santa Monica, CA
2016 — Clark County GOV for Laughlin NV. Zap Project Public Mural
2013 — America’s Cup Group Show in San Francisco, CA
2011 — 12 Gallagher Lane Gallery in San Francisco, CA
2010 — The Framers Gallery, LCS’s Mail me art #3 in London, UK
2010 — Gentler Architecture & Design, Mckinley Art Solutions in San Francisco, CA
2009 — Revamp in San Francisco, CA
2009 — 1 A.M. Gallery, Circle of life in San Francisco, CA
2009 — Art Murmur, Raw in Oakland, CA
2009 — Sonoma County & Santa Rosa Arts District, When Styles Connect in Santa Rosa, CA
2008 — Indie Industries San Francisco Opening in San Francisco, CA
2008 — ArtNowSF in San Francisco, CA
2008 — Triumph Skateboarding Company in Marin, CA
2008 — 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco, CA
2008 — Artist Wanted in New York, NY
2007— Roche Bobois in San Francisco, CA
2007 — Aura in San Francisco, CA
2005 — Dallas Museum of Art, 20th anniversary in Dallas, TX
2005 — Verizon Wireless V.I.P. Headquarters in Irving, TX
2005 — Gallery 2910 in Dallas, TX
2004 — Downtown Dallas Business Partnership Inc. 2nd. Saturday in Dallas, TX.
2004— Design Within Reach in Dallas, TX
2004 — Meyerson Symphony center in Dallas, TX
2002 — Mckinney Avenue Contemporary in Dallas, TX
2002 — AVenue in Dallas, TX
2002 — XPO in Dallas, TX
2001 — Dallas Center For Contemporary Art in Dallas, TX
2001 — Art Landing Gallery & Studios in Dallas, TX
2001 — MoMos in Dallas, TX
1998 — Crystal Theatre in Missoula, MT
1990 — Capitol Hill Gallery in Helena, MT