Vancouver artist and HIV advocate Joe Average dies at 67

Joe Average, artist and human rights activist, is invested as a member of the Order of Canada by Governor General Mary Simon during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Thursday, December 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Renowned Vancouver artist Joe Average, whose colourful work adorns murals and banners around the city, died at age 67 Tuesday, according to family and friends.

“It is with very heavy hearts that we must tell you that our beloved brother Joe Brock Average passed away peacefully in his sleep on Christmas Eve,” reads a message posted to social media by siblings Karin and Mark. “We would like to say how much we appreciate the love and support of his many friends.”

Joe Average, also known as Brock David Tebbutt, was appointed to the Order of B.C. in 2021 and the Order of Canada in June 2024. In 2019, he designed the commemorative Equality Coin for the Royal Canadian Mint to mark the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality.

According to his biography, Joe Average was diagnosed HIV positive at age 27 and subsequently decided to dedicate the rest of his then-uncertain lifespan to making art.

“Joe’s art transcends mere placement on gallery walls. His images have come to symbolize hope to millions of people living with HIV/AIDS,” reads his profile on the Order of B.C. website.

“Despite his well-documented, long, painful health struggle, he has quietly and consistently donated prints and photographic works to charitable causes across the province serving children and those living with terminal illness.”

The province noted that, over the decades, basically every HIV/AIDS fundraiser had a Joe Average piece up for auction, his posters and t-shirts were featured at the annual Vancouver AIDS walk, and sales of masks bearing his illustrations of bees and the message “bee safe” raised $10,000 for BC Children's Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vancouverites may be familiar with Joe Average’s work through his “40 Years Later” mural on Granville Street, the playful signs on Granville Island, and street banners in Davie Village.