2020"FOCUS ON YOUTH":
FEATURED EMERGING ARTIST
Interdisciplinary Artist:
Kyra Husbands
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Kyra Husbands is a 20-year-old interdisciplinary artist with additional interests in curatorial studies and art history. She is beginning her third year at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where she is pursuing her BFA in visual and critical studies. Born and raised in Beacon, NY, which has a thriving art community that inspired her early on, Kyra became interested in making art with anything she could get her hands on. Throughout high school, she visited Dia:Beacon and participated in the Dia Teens program (an intensive program that elevates the voices, ideas and contributions of youth) which exposed her to new artists, mediums and museums. Researching and learning about art history and philosophy sparked a desire to dig deeper into the purpose of art and how it functions in her world. |
Throughout high school, Kyra participated in the annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and received a Silver Key Award in 2018. In that same year, she was presented with the Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Award for the “Student with Exceptional Promise in the Arts.” She was also honored to have her work featured in one of the Beacon Free Loop bus shelters on Main Street in the year this free transportation system was launched by BeaconArts (November 2018). She was one of the youngest featured artists at the Howland Cultural Center for their Annual African American History Month show (2016-2019).
Future plans…
After completing her degree, Kyra plans to return to Beacon to help educate and expose people to the arts in her local community. She would also love to work in a museum that encourages her to have a say in diversifying the art or the audience as well as educating and working with young people. She hopes to give younger artists opportunities to take their art to another level, to build confidence, and to prove that a career in the arts is possible.
Future plans…
After completing her degree, Kyra plans to return to Beacon to help educate and expose people to the arts in her local community. She would also love to work in a museum that encourages her to have a say in diversifying the art or the audience as well as educating and working with young people. She hopes to give younger artists opportunities to take their art to another level, to build confidence, and to prove that a career in the arts is possible.
Denise (Beacon Free Loop Bus Shelter Feature)
Mixed Media & Collage © Kyra Husbands |
When did you first become interested in art? I’ve enjoyed drawing since elementary school, but it was during high school that I really became passionate about art. While spending time at Dia:Beacon, I became interested in art spaces. Through the teen program there, I had the opportunity to visit museums and galleries in New York City which sparked my interest in studying how art functions around us and in these spaces. Exploring other museums’ art programs also made me realize how much I would love to be an art educator. |
"When Will You Marry Me?" Beheading of Gauguin
Watercolor © Kyra Husbands |
Black Barbies Only (Photo Series)
Photography © Kyra Husbands |
How would you describe your style?
I don’t believe I have a style with my art. I used to believe this was a disadvantage, but I’ve come to realize this is perfectly fine. As an interdisciplinary artist, I love to explore and use a variety of mediums - painting, etching, lino printing, sculpture, or fiber art. Currently, my goal is to create new work combining elements of painting and embroidery. I can say my work definitely has a theme, though - self-reflection!
I don’t believe I have a style with my art. I used to believe this was a disadvantage, but I’ve come to realize this is perfectly fine. As an interdisciplinary artist, I love to explore and use a variety of mediums - painting, etching, lino printing, sculpture, or fiber art. Currently, my goal is to create new work combining elements of painting and embroidery. I can say my work definitely has a theme, though - self-reflection!
Narcissist (Self Portrait)
Graphite © Kyra Husbands |
Black Fabric for Skin
Acrylic on Canvas Board © Kyra Husbands |
What artists have inspired you?
I’m inspired by a lot of Black contemporary artists, such as Jordan Casteel, Kerry James Marshall, Carrie Mae Weems, Lorraine O’Grady. I love to see Black artists that push boundaries when it comes to how Black bodies are presented in a predominantly white art world. I like to see representations of Black figures doing everyday activities or even in fictional scenarios that are not related to our trauma. I also appreciate Black abstract artists. Our work tends to become political as soon as a Black figure is presented when that’s not always the case.
I’m inspired by a lot of Black contemporary artists, such as Jordan Casteel, Kerry James Marshall, Carrie Mae Weems, Lorraine O’Grady. I love to see Black artists that push boundaries when it comes to how Black bodies are presented in a predominantly white art world. I like to see representations of Black figures doing everyday activities or even in fictional scenarios that are not related to our trauma. I also appreciate Black abstract artists. Our work tends to become political as soon as a Black figure is presented when that’s not always the case.
Untitled
Wood and Yarn © Kyra Husbands |
Journal Painting No. 7
Acrylic on Wooden Panel © Kyra Husbands |
List Map No. 1
Embroidery © Kyra Husbands |
Follow Kyra on:
INSTAGRAM
