Tyra Naidoo
AVA Exhibition: As Natural As Daylight: Plants, Memory & The Edge of Belonging (Group Show) 20.11.25 - 24.01.26
Tyra Michaela Naidoo (b. 1995, Kwa-Zulu Natal) is a multidisciplinary artist entering her second year of the Master of Fine Art program at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. After completing her undergraduate and honors degrees at the same institution in 2017, she established a practice that explores cultural identity, displacement, and materiality through various media.
Central to her work is the innovative use of henna beyond its traditional application, employing it as both a metaphorical mask and medium in paintings, performances, and sculptures. This exploration of cultural materials has led to exhibitions including “Fever Returns” (2022, Kalashnikovv Gallery), “Ten of Cups” (2023), and her solo exhibition “Enough Protection” (2023, Kalashnikovv Gallery). Her work has also been featured in significant shows such as “Not Your Normal” (2018) and “Edge of a Thread” (2018) at the Eclectica Galleries.
As a founding member of the Kutti Collective (2019-ongoing), she collaborates with five other queer South African Indian creatives to challenge and reimagine artistic and cultural constructs. The collective has presented at international academic events, including the University of Vienna’s “Broken Promises, (In)finite affinities: Caste and Race Cosmopolitics” (2022) and the University of Cincinnati’s “Thinking Queer Diaspora Now Virtual Symposium”(2021). Their work spans exhibitions, collaborative artworks, and community events featuring diverse artistic expressions.
Her professional experience includes positions at galleries and as a residency mentor, providing valuable insights into the commercial art world, curatorial practices, and institutional collecting. This comprehensive understanding of the art industry, combined with her current role at an art supply store, has given her unique perspectives on both the commercial and public engagement aspects of art. These experiences have enriched her practice and informed her approach to creating work that bridges cultural narratives with contemporary artistic discourse.
Throughout her career, she has maintained a commitment to broader experimental practices alongside addressing these themes of cultural and gendered identity. Her work consistently demonstrates an ability to adapt to various exhibition contexts, as seen in shows like “Toolbox” (2023) and “Horse Paintings” (2023) at Under Projects. She has also taken on curatorial roles, organizing exhibitions such as “Living Space” (2022) at AVA, showcasing her versatility within the art world.
This combination of academic enthusiasm, artistic curiosity, professional experience, and community engagement forms the foundation for her continued exploration of identity, materiality, and cultural narrative.
Instagram: @tyra__naidoo
