ARTIST STATEMENT-
Born (2001) and raised in Baltimore Maryland.
As an artist, curator, and researcher, my work exists at the intersection of public history, community preservation, and social impact. I am dedicated to uncovering and uplifting overlooked narratives, particularly those of Queer and Black identities in Baltimore and beyond. Painting is my way of deep diving into my identity to push my boundaries of what's a given. My art illustrates places and feeling we may not fully understand but need deeply, I aim to create spaces where art fosters connection, education, and collective memory.
My practice is deeply rooted in the power of place—how history, environment, and people shape identity. I use color, symbolism, and historical research to reclaim public spaces by challenging dominant social rules that limit each other and ourselves. Whether through large-scale murals that reflect neighborhood stories, exhibitions that center community voices, or digital archives that preserve cultural legacies, my work seeks to honor the past while inspiring future dialogue.
As TWZ, my artistic identity is fluid, shifting between roles of creator, facilitator, and documentarian. I believe in art as a tool for empowerment, a medium for healing, and a means to rewrite history on our own terms with the full truth.
ABOUT -
Alexis Tyson (TWZ) is an artist, curator, and public historian dedicated to preserving and amplifying overlooked Black narratives. Based in Baltimore, their work spans murals, exhibitions, and interactive storytelling, transforming public spaces into sites of memory, dialogue, and reclamation.
With a background in painting, graphic design, and historic research, Alexis integrates visual art with community engagement to illuminate histories often left untold. Their curatorial projects center social impact, fostering connections between artists, institutions, and local communities. They have worked with organizations like The Peale, The Black Arts District, and Motorhouse, curating exhibitions and leading initiatives that challenge dominant narratives and celebrate cultural legacies.
A recipient of the Emerging Creatives Fellowship and a muralist for the SOWEBO Mural Project, Alexis continues to merge art with advocacy. Their current projects explore Baltimore’s mural history, Black public art, and the intersection of storytelling and preservation. Through their work, they seek to empower communities to reclaim history on their own terms.