Telling the stories of those without a voice

Artist Tyson Jay Brant is about to make his mark on the art scene with his debut solo exhibition, Forgotten Fables of the South-East. A unique collision of pop art, graffiti, and social commentary, the exhibition will be unveiled this Friday night at Little Blue Wren Gift & Art.

Tyson describes his work as a study into the human condition, portraying 17 local individuals in his psychedelic style. These people have all chosen their own paths, and Tyson aims to share their stories with the public for the first time. His confidence in his work has been bolstered by his recent victory at the 2023 South East Art Society Open Art Awards.

Initially, Tyson wasn’t planning to exhibit his art, but encouragement from the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre’s Daniel Pearson and fellow artist Kyra Sykes changed his mind. Gareth and Tabitha Williams from Little Blue Wren provided the perfect opportunity to showcase his pieces as part of the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) festival.

The portraits in Tyson’s collection center around themes of homelessness, mental health, and other social issues. As a part of the exhibition, Little Blue Wren will also be collecting winter woollies, such as blankets, beanies, gloves, and scarves, to be donated to the Sunset Community Kitchen.

Tyson believes that his exhibition has been a form of therapy for himself. Through his art, he aims to offer a powerful and compelling presentation of his subjects, making viewers truly see the people they might typically pass by without a second thought.

For Tyson, each person in his paintings has a story to tell, and he considers it a privilege to interact with and record the fascinating lives of his local subjects. He hopes his exhibition will raise awareness of the challenges faced by people in the community who struggle with homelessness and limited access to mental health services.

The exhibition’s launch date is not coincidental; it aligns with National Homelessness Week (August 6 – 12) and will run until September 1. Naomi Fallon, SALA deputy chair and Bordertown’s Walkway Gallery director, will open the exhibition with a launch event starting at 6 pm.

With nearly 123,000 people experiencing homelessness in Australia on any given night, Tyson’s art seeks to shed light on this extreme form of inequality. He believes that his exhibition challenges viewers to confront their own privilege while celebrating the beauty and resilience of the houseless community.

Tyson’s artistic journey has been influenced by his love for music and martial arts, particularly boxing. He found solace and confidence in his art when he embraced it alongside his boxing pursuits.

This debut exhibition showcases Tyson’s self-taught talent as both an artist and animator, with influences ranging from morning cartoon shows to album cover art. He has been recognized as a semi-finalist in Animate, Australia’s premier animation film festival, and has also gained recognition in Happy Mag for his animation, music, and art projects.

It’s worth noting that each individual represented in Tyson’s exhibition has given their consent to be featured—a testament to his respect for the subjects he portrays.

This exhibition is an official SALA Event, contributing to the celebration of local art and artists in South Australia.