Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyra Johnson.
Tyra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Since I can remember I’ve been a creative. Visual art, theater, dance, choir, you name it, I probably did it at one point or another. With time, my perspective was shaped by places I lived or visited and my experience as a woman in the world. Pretty early on I developed a passion for sculpture, interior design, and architecture. That’s the space my artistic practice lives in today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth definitely isn’t the word I’d use. Since I took a non-conventional route to the “art world”, there was a lot of rejection early on. I didn’t have an undergraduate or graduate-level arts education (hello B.S. in Biology), a CV (a creative resume), or gallery representation so that automatically disqualified me for many opportunities. Similar to the new grad job search, “I need 5 years of experience to get a job, but how do I get experience if no one hires me?”. So having the trust to push through that rejection and keep knocking on doors was tough. With art, getting a foot in the door really seems like the hardest step. The biggest hurdle after that was learning how this space works. For an industry full of creatives, it’s oddly similar to corporate America. There’s this secret game you have to learn how to play and people only share the rules if they deem you or your artwork worthy. It’s really wild to think about.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an interdisciplinary artist, meaning I combine mediums. For example, I’m working on an exhibition now that combines sculpture with audio, and my “Construct” series combined sculpture and poetry. My goal is to create art that truly moves people by taking them out of their day-to-day. One of the ways to do this effectively is to engage more than one sensory system. The more I create a temporary “bubble” to view my work in, the more effectively I can get my point across.
My work is influenced heavily by adobe architecture and the topography of places I’ve been. Different angles actually look like you’re moving through a landscape while the overall meaning is driven by human experiences. I’ve always been fascinated by how we’re tied to earth and wanted to communicate my experiences in a way that shows my connection to nature.
I’m mostly known for my sculptures on mirrors. It’s one of many series, but definitely the work that got me “noticed”. I’m proud I have a truly unique style and technique. No one uses the materials I use the way I use them, and thus far my style isn’t even remotely similar to any other artist, and that’s a special thing to be able to say in 2022. It seems like everything has been done by someone at this point.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
There’s so much I could say. The most important thing I wish someone told me in the beginning, is to make art I want to make and not worry about if it sells. There’s a process you just have to go through to settle into your style and find what makes you stand out. If you’re too consumed with what sells and what’s popular, you’ll never be your own artist. More importantly, you’ll likely end up hating your own work, feeling burnt out, or wanting to quit altogether.
The other piece of advice I’d give: If the system isn’t working for you, go around it. I never applied to a residency, art publication, or cold reached out to galleries. I built my art business, grew a small following, and networked. I made the connections through genuine interactions with people. It’s not always about getting something out of someone to get somewhere. I love art and I want to learn and see what inspires other people just because it’s interesting! Work hard. Work with people who inspire you. Ask questions and be okay with not getting an answer. Be a good person. People work with people. No one is above human decency.
Contact Info:
- Email: tyra@tyrajstudio.com
- Website: www.tyrajstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just.tyraj
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLKEmajI1HxhtUAb7GcFSlw
Image Credits
Taylor Stewart
