She studied graphic arts in Casablanca (Morocco) and worked as an art director in an advertising agency before embarking on her photography career. Joana works mainly on conceptual portraits, mixed media and documentary photography. Much of her work focuses on Africa, and what she, as an African, has learned about the innumerable cultures around her. She is also a member of the African Photojournalism Database (APJD).
In Abidjan, Joana has exhibited at the Museum of Civilizations, the Donwahi Foundation for Contemporary Art, the Rotonde des Arts, and Eureka Gallery. Abroad, she exhibited at the Photoquai Biennale at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, at the Paris Also Known As Africa Fair, at the Rush Art Gallery in New York, at the 50 Golborne Gallery in London, at the International Photography Biennale of Bamako, and at the Lagos Photo Festival.
In 2014, she won the POPCAP 14 Award ( CAP PRIZE) and the Emerging Photographer LensCulture Award.
In 2016, she received the Magnum Foundation Emergency Grant , and the Fourthwall Books Award in South Africa.
In 2017, she exhibited her series "Translation" and "Adorn" at the Pavilion of the Ivory Coast during the 57th Venice International Biennale, and her series "Bitter, Chocolate Stories" at Beurs Van Berlage in Amsterdam.
Her work has been published in the international press: CNN, New York Times, El Pais, Le Monde, The Guardian, Forbes Magazine, The Huffington Post, Marie Claire Magazine Australia, Elle South Africa, Geo Magazine, Le Temps, La Stampa and L'Internazionale. Her book "HAABRE", was published and edited in Johannesburg in 2016. Her book "Bitter Chocolate stories" was published in Amsterdam, in October 2017.
