Today we’d like to introduce you to T Young
Hi T Young, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember. Around age eight, my mother paid for art lessons with a neighbor who was a professional artist. She had me draw countless Jell-O boxes, cylinders, and bowls of apples—an exercise that, while monotonous, became a formative ritual. It was then that I decided I wanted to be an artist, just like her. I grew up immersed in art, music, and sewing—anything that allowed me to be creative. Each of these shaped not only how I engage with the world but also how, in many ways, art has become my refuge.
Early in my career, I started a small home business centered on sewing, painting, and photography. What began with art and craft shows soon expanded into a seasonal gift boutique, which eventually grew into a brick-and-mortar home and gift store that I co-owned with a business partner. In addition to creating and running our boutique, I taught instructional classes and seminars to help others launch their creative businesses. These experiences reinforced my belief that art and creativity are not just individual pursuits but vital parts of community and culture.
In the early 2000s, I transitioned into fine art painting, stepping away from retail and teaching to focus fully on my artistic practice. This journey led me to my studio and gallery space at the Northrup King Building in NE Minneapolis. Through various abstract styles, I eventually found myself firmly rooted in hard-edge, non-objective painting—a style most similar to Mid-Century Modern art. My work is shaped by geometric forms, lines, and spatial relationships and is primarily influenced by 20th-century movements such as Constructivism, Suprematism, Concretism, Bauhaus, and De Stijl. I am deeply engaged not only in these artistic movements but also in their histories. I’m especially interested in the artists who lived and worked during these periods, many of whom created their work in times of significant political and social upheaval. While my finished work is not overtly political, its foundation is undeniably shaped by these histories.
For me, being an artist isn’t about passion—it’s what I do and what I’ve built my life around. While my paintings are decorative in composition, they also hold deeper meaning. I love when they spark conversations about art and life—two elements that often feel inseparable. And that happens often!
I believe art—whether in what I create or what others create—reflects who we are and the world we live in as a society. It documents, challenges, and preserves moments in time. That’s the conversation I hope to contribute to and continue through my art. I never forget that I stand on the shoulders of artists who came before me, especially those who created in times when artistic expression was threatened or suppressed. Through my work, I honor them and continue the conversations they started, recognizing that art, music, theater, and culture are not luxuries—they are essential to our humanity. History has shown that art is often one of the first things diminished or defunded during political and social shifts, making the work of artists and creators even more vital. Our creations are our collective stories.
I am deeply grateful to be an artist, knowing that so many never get the opportunity to do what I do for a living—something that is never lost on me. I am also honored to be part of the creative community that we continue to build in NE Minneapolis. I am just one of over 350 artists at the Northrup King Building, which itself is just one hub within the larger NE Minneapolis Arts District. I hope this interview sparks curiosity and interest not only in my art but in all the other small creative businesses located at NKB and throughout the NE Minneapolis Arts District.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
included in the Your Story section
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
included in the Your Story section
Pricing:
- Range: $15 – $4,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zhibit.org/tyoungart
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyoungart/
