Traci Johnson

My artistic practice emerges from a journey of reclamation and self-discovery, born from navigating identity within restrictive religious constraints. Through textiles, installations, and sculptures, I create immersive works that challenge rigid gender binaries and celebrate the radical act of authentic self-expression. My current body of work, "Creatures of Desire," explores alternative perceptions of women through vibrant colors, abstract patterns, and unconventional forms that dismantle traditional representations of femininity and the body.

Born in New York City in 1998, Traci Johnson is an emerging textile artist currently living and practicing in Brooklyn, NY. After earning a BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Johnson developed a practice centered at the intersection of public space, healing, and community engagement. Their work often transforms the traditional language of sanctuary shaped by their religious upbringing into vibrant environments of queer liberation and embodied healing. Central to Johnson's practice is a focus on construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction as symbolic pathways toward selfhood. These narrative rich textile works invite viewers into their own journeys of clarity and rebirth. Johnson's significant recent commissions include the Safe Space Installation for MTA/Chashama at the 50th Street Subway Station. Their work has been exhibited at notable institutions including the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), Canada Gallery, and the Moore College of Art and Design. Through these immersive installations and tactile media, Johnson continues to explore how art can act as a catalyst for individual and collective sanctuary within the urban landscape.