Joe Wallace

Trained as a journalist, Joe Wallace has been a portrait photographer and storyteller for twenty years. Devouring books and films or listening to his grandfather’s amazing adventures, he trained as a writer and spent ten years selling stories in advertising. The last fifteen years he’s been telling stories through photographs.

Like many, Joe has a deeply personal connection with dementia. He was frustrated by the common, one-dimensional narrative of dementia—futility, despair, and loss. Beginning at the End was one of our very first gallery exhibitions in the newly renovated building. Joe has turned that project into a book called THE DAY AFTER YESTERDAY Portraits of Dementia which is available in stores on October 3, 2023.

Joe strongly feels that to give the audience courage to act in ways large and small, you must show the whole story. The artist must not be afraid to show not only the fear, loss and despair, but also the love, connection, dignity, and powerful humanity that always remain—in the subjects, in the care-partners, and in the families and communities. That is the only path to evolve the narrative and have a positive social change.

When not behind the camera, you can find Joe running in the woods, wrestling with my kids, or spinning a ridiculous yarn for anyone who will listen.