We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tia Daubas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I’ll start off by saying that I do in fact work for someone else, I always have. Unfortunately, climbing the ranks of creative professionalism in this economy is extremely hard work and my financial constraints do not grant me the luxury to dedicate every waking second to my art-making. I do what I can to continually ensure my work is growing and spreading though the artistic community, but by no means does it fund my lifestyle just yet. Committing yourself to being an artist isn’t for the faint of heart, but it also isn’t a life you choose so much as it chooses you. Being a creative isn’t about what medium is used or the volume of work produced; it’s a profound way of life – a relentless pursuit of meaning, an endless quest for truth, and the magical act of bringing forth something from the void. To claim I’m happy as an artist isn’t a lie; my life is an ever-evolving tapestry woven with beauty, visual poetry, and deep emotion. My days are an ongoing process of interpreting, decoding, and translating the kaleidoscope of my reality. Every time I establish a new link between the things I see, my visual vocabulary expands. I am fluent in the language of synchronicity.
Yet, amid this, it’s just as true to say that being an artist is torment. It’s a rollercoaster ride through prolific bursts of inspiration and deep descents into the doldrums. There are moments of self-doubt and fits of panic about how to possibly sustain such a lifestyle. Oh, to work in finance, medicine, or marketing, with their tangible value and financial security. Perhaps for them, art is merely a hobby or something to be admired from afar. For me, it’s the air I breathe. It’s what I’ve surrounded myself with, what I am educated in, and what I am dedicated to. No, I’m not an expert in Microsoft Office, but I know the language of imagery. I am adept at connecting the dots between one image to the next, forging new conceptual frameworks by translating subtle, visual whispers.
So, yes, I wonder how much easier my life would be if I were on a more conventional trajectory. Still, a more pressing thought is how dull everything would become. An artist understands the necessity of surrendering their soul to the chaos of passion rather than seeking solace in the stability of security. An artist understands there is no other way.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a photo-based artist specializing in film photography, physical collage, and archival reassemblage. My artistic journey traces back to an early fascination with dance, theater, creative writing, and image-making. However, it was during my time at Texas State University that I delved deeply into image-based modes of creation. Immersed in the world of art, I unlocked new skills of visual literacy under the incredible guidance of my professors, Jason Reed, Barry Stone, and Dr. Jennifer Stob.
Since then, I’ve taken an interest in more curatorial roles. Much like a conductor orchestrating a symphony, I seek to find harmony between diverse artists’ works. Despite lacking formal education in curatorial studies, an unforgettable achievement was leading an exhibition at the gallery of my previous employer, Precision Camera & Video. I have gone on to execute my first solo exhibition in Belgrade, Serbia with the invaluable support of the non-profit, artist-run gallery, Center424. Now residing in Kansas City, I am in training to become a museum guide for the revered Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. In tandem with this, my current photographic project is one of pure visual dialogue – a conversation in which two artists speak to each other solely through the exchange of images. The project is an homage to anewnothing.com, the originators of this concept, but is specifically tailored for early-career photographers. The objective is to produce and distribute zines encapsulating each singular conversation.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
To cultivate and sustain a thriving creative ecosystem, we must demystify the realm of Art. Throughout history, “good” art has often been confined to the perception of an elite lifestyle, with “true” artists selling their work for a hefty price tag. There’s nothing wrong with getting paid for your time and talent, but it’s using this as your driving force that has skewed the essence of art. Art fits into many roles – a conduit for emotional expression, a powerful political statement, and a respite from the tasks of daily life, among others. The legitimacy of an artwork should not be tethered to its market value. Rather, its inherent worth is in the fact that it’s been made at all. When viewed through this lens, nearly everything can be considered art. One can begin to understand that art is for everyone. In realizing this truth, we can hopefully create a world that encourages artistic exploration and values artists as necessary members of society.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I’d say my entire journey has been a testament to resilience. Having experienced a turbulent and chaotic childhood, my teenage years and into my early twenties were heavy with distress. I began working as soon as I was able to since money was not a luxury I could afford to take for granted. As a first-generation college graduate, one would think that I would pursue a career in something more lucrative to ensure my financial security. Initially, my college career began with the goal of earning a degree in International Relations, with the hope of one day working for the United Nations. It was upon taking the mandatory Introduction to Art History course that changed all of that. There was no one paying for my education but me, so I decided I might as well pursue what brings me joy. Throughout my college years and into my current life, there is no safety net. No nest egg to keep me afloat, no family business to join, no connections but the ones I forge on my own. Resilience, for me, goes beyond grit and determination; it is the art of staying adaptable and committed to the pursuit of my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: tiadaubas.com
- Instagram: @tiadaubas