ARTIST STATEMENT -
Alexis Tyson, working under the artist pseudonym TWZ, uses a figurative style to cultivate their vision of humanity. Their belief is that art is healing, being a means of mental diffusion and expression. Visually tapping into the feelings inside our heads that aren’t always clear to ourselves. Bright colors and hues are a striking staple of their work that gives a sense of vibrancy that reminds us of the sense of life that surrounds us. Using visual and physical art to express concepts of freedom and self-actualization, TWZ invites the viewer to be present in their being and pay homage to the human sense of feeling.
ABOUT -
Born and raised in Baltimore Maryland.
“I’ve been painting since I was a child and the quality of my work has always been important to me, even before I created my own style I was very critical of what response my work produced. All I wanted was for there to be an emotional connection between the conscious and the subconscious. The feelings inside our heads aren’t always clear to ourselves but I want my art to resonate with those feelings. Those things you can’t say and don’t understand, but are moved by nonetheless.
As a kid I felt distanced from everyone around me. I dealt with depression for most of my middle school years. I felt caged within myself. To cope I began drawing and initially it wasn’t something I did seriously. It was only a means to get the feeling of being “on edge” out of my body. I filled 3 sketchbooks with sporadic drawings. Faces, people, bodies, and lines covered the pages from top to bottom. I began to forget about how it looked. The only thing that mattered was that when I was finished whatever feeling inside me had been released. That I had a sense of peace.
I am a Creator in every sense of the word. As a Black Artist I want to continue to create content that’ll be recognized as a black woman’s. My focus is painting but I use photography and graphic design as means to express myself. As a painter, I use abstract faces and bodies to create images that focus on the body's expression. Bright colors have always attracted me because they give a sense of vibrancy that reminds me of the sense of life that surrounds me. I want my paintings to feel alive.
After I finish college I plan to start a program for Arts education in Baltimore city for the youth. The Arts are a therapy. I would like to work with children and I want to be able to offer a space for them to explore the Arts. I hope that they can find a safe place, just as I did. “