My Conversation with Aint Free
Last month, I had the privilege of sitting down with multimedia artist Tyson “Aint Free” Johnson to discuss how his upbringing and experiences have led him to his work in illustration, being part of the inaugural CXLTURA exhibit in 2024, and how Mattie Rhodes provided him with a space to grow as an artist.
Tyson spent his early life in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up with a deep affinity for Gothic- and Renaissance-era artwork. However, he rarely saw himself—or other Black people represented within those works, and when they were, it was often not in a positive or empowering light. His work is steadfastly dedicated to reversing that narrative by centering the Black experience, creating powerful portrayals of Black identity, and reimagining classical artistic traditions through a contemporary lens. After receiving his BFA from Park University in 2022 with a focus in illustration, Tyson began working primarily digitally, though a bulk of his showcased work has been created traditionally through acrylic and mixed media.
Tyson is a self-described nerd, passionate advocate for youth, and radical with the goal of bringing visions to life and pushing himself to create outside of his comfort zone. His work delivers rich and unique concepts within Renaissance Noir that shed a poetic and empowering light on the Black experience.
Enjoy these clips from our chat!
In this clip, Tyson discusses how his artwork has always centered on representing the Black experience and honoring his culture through the intentional color choices he makes.
In this clip, Tyson discusses his connection to Mattie Rhodes and the ways the organization has helped him grow as an artist by providing a space to create, connect, and share his work with the community.
In this clip, Tyson describes his featured piece, “Soulaan 6” and the meaning behind it.