Q&A

with Joe Paleta

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?

I’m born and raised here in the IE. I learn best with my hands, so I picked up crafts at a young age which turned into art making later in life. I studied Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design, where I took many art classes, my favorite two are a figure sculpting class, and a documentary photography class. I also have spent the last five years living and working in NYC for such artists as Maya Lin, and Todd Oldham.

How did the Ice Paleta project come about?

Furious about the way ICE terrorizes our communities-targeting eld workers during a pandemic, even after

Congress deemed them “essential”-- I created this sculpture series in an act of protest. “ICE Pop” echoes the

popular protest chant, “MELT ICE!” while alluding to those targeted by this government agency: street

vendors, who, from the hot valleys of southern California to the labyrinthine subway system of New York City,

bring simple nostalgic joys into our everyday lives, all for a few bucks.

What is your dream project?

This is my dream project. I would like to see it grow and work with more local artists.

What is next for Joe Paleta?

Survive this pandemic, continue to make art work. I would like to develop some new sculptures for Spring 2021, and collaborate more with local immigrant justice organizations.