Monumental Bronze Sculpture Unveiled at Otis College

“Be Immense” is the work of Otis faculty JosephBrandon Thomas, ’18 BFA Toy Design

There is a new—and exceptionally tall—member of the Otis community this Fall now that "Be Immense," Lil Joe with the Liberation Fro, a monumental figurative sculpture, is installed on campus between Ahmanson Hall and the Galef Center. Standing more than 10 feet tall and weighing over half a ton, the large-scale bronze is the work of JosephBrandon Thomas (’18 BFA Toy Design) and depicts a character created by the multidisciplinary artist and designer. The sculpture was officially unveiled on September 28 as part of a single-day alumni exhibition and will remain on view through the Fall semester.

“The sculpture serves as a beacon of empowerment for individuals who share my identity and for those who support and love us in our pursuit to ‘Be Immense,’”  explained the artist, who exhibits under the name JosephBrandon. According to the artist, Lil Joe’s haircut, which resembles a fist, symbolizes the celebration of freedom on Juneteenth, while the figure’s stance is intended to convey a sense of personal power and intense emotion. “Lil Joe is a character I created as a way to cope with my anxious feelings. I designed him to embody strength, talent, and courage—all the qualities I wanted to see in myself.”

In 2022, JosephBrandon created an edition of 13 10-inch bronze sculptures of Lil Joe, each with unique surface finishes, which contributed to the production of the new sculpture. When he saw a call for alumni work, he seized the opportunity to produce a piece that would engage the Otis community. True to its title, “Be Immense” weighs 1,200 pounds and reaches an impressive 10 ½ feet. The artist hopes the scale and location will not only encourage interaction with the sculpture but also inspire the community to think big.

“Toys sparked my creativity from a young age; I always wished they could be as large as me. That creative spark still fuels me today,” says JosephBrandon, who grew up in New Orleans and received Foundation and Toy Design scholarships while a student at Otis. “The education I received at Otis equipped me with the necessary tools to pursue my dreams, and its esteemed reputation has opened doors of opportunity. Unveiling the sculpture here is significant, as it represents my growth as both an artist and a person. The encouragement of this community has been paramount to my career, and I want the world to know that.”

JosephBrandon currently teaches at Otis in the Creative Action Integrated Learning program (CAIL) and has been an active leader in the College’s Black Creatives Institute for several years. As a practicing artist, JosephBrandon has had solo exhibitions at Gallery 90220 and the Hawthorne Arts Complex, and has been included in several group shows including exhibitions at NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Art); SoLA Contemporary Gallery in Los Angeles; and Band of Vices (The Glasshouse) in New York.

Showcasing Alumni Work at Notice Otis

The sculpture was installed to coincide with Notice Otis, which was held Saturday, September 28, 2024. The annual event invites the Otis community to introduce their friends, family, and networks to the College through an evening of creativity and community. Attendees can take art and design classes taught by Otis College faculty while meeting students, alumni, and fellow friends of Otis.This year’s event also included an exhibition of work by alumni across disciplines, including Thomas’s sculpture.

Photographs courtesy JosephBrandon.

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