Joseph PollakoffJoseph Pollakoff was a victim of physical, psychological and sexual abuse as a child. He had to write and draw in secret during his childhood and said, it gave me great incentive to pursue the forbidden fruit. Growing up in an atmosphere with mentall unstable and abusive parents he found relief from being trafficked and their chronic abuse by expressing himself through his writing, drawing and painting. Being self-taught, he had little contact with the mainstream art until he was discovered by Shonna McDaniels, Director of the Sojourner Truth Multi-Cultural Art Museum. He went on to paint for profound celebrities including Maya Angelou. He has also worked as a curator, historian and resident artist for the Sojourner Truth Multi-Cultural Museum. He provides and teach classes free for youth empowerment, African Diaspora and painting for impoverished populations. He currently lives with his spouse in Elk Grove California with his rescued dogs and cats. Read More Read Less