Open Studio with Traci Johnson

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 multidisciplinary practice centered at the intersection of public space, healing, and community engagement. Their work 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 recent commissions include the Safe Space Installation for MTA/Chashama at the 50th Street Subway Station. Their work has been exhibited at the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD); Canada Gallery; and the Moore College of Art and Design. Through 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.