Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyra Johnson.
Hi Tyra, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got started juggling art and full-time work as a project manager. After growing my business and art practice over 6 years, an unexpected layoff from the sale of a company turned out to be a bit of a lucky break. Although, it took me almost a year to see it that way. I was more prepared than I realized, and I’m not sure I would’ve had the courage to transition at that point in my life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Fortunately, and unfortunately, the road has been a little bumpy! Some days, it feels like I’m in a Jeep on a dirt road in a forest, and others like I’m on fresh asphalt. I think my biggest hurdle was transitioning into a space with less rules and logic. It was tricky to find my voice and stick to my gut, navigating art and design industries. There are so many implicit social dynamics impacting art and design – it just takes time to form a real position on how to do business in this industry.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work focuses on identity and helping us discover ourselves beyond society’s definitions. I think very few people truly know themselves and it limits our ability to connect with others. I’m a multidisciplinary artist specializing in sculpture and installation art. I’m known for my relief installations and mirror sculptures. Right now, I’m most proud of my Celestial Origins exhibition. The combined elements of sculpture, suspended installation, sound, and lighting really created an atmosphere for people to find some grounding energy. Watching the shift in tone as people entered the space was a feeling I’m glad I was able to create.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I absolutely LOVE cooking. I love learning about food and where it comes from, how it’s grown, experimenting. I see it as another creative outlet. I’ve started to venture into gardening and botany in a more focused way, and that’s been really satisfying to the science-loving half of my brain.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tyrajstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just.tyraj/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyra-johnson-b02b59121/
