Meet Kyla Yager, a New Orleans-bred and Toronto-based visual artist with a passion for putting emotions at the forefront of her work. Drawing from her own experiences with ADHD and Mental Health, Kyla transformed these situations into tools for her practice. Through her art, Kyla aims to empower neurodivergent individuals, encouraging them to embrace their unique traits as strengths rather than obstacles. In this conversation, Kyla explores her artistic journey, inspirations, and insights that have brought her pieces to galleries across the world.

In Conversation

Hidden Perspectives in Color

I would describe my work as mental health and ADHD inspired intuitive abstracted realities. My paintings are maximalist, meaning every inch of the surface is filled with detail and there's no negative space...only positive! My aim is to add so much detail and hidden perspectives that every time a viewer sees my work, a new hidden image comes to the surface. The artwork is colourful and filled with repetition and pattern, with a touch of randomness. Those repeated patterns are also used for stimming, as it calms my mind.

Mental Health and Neurodivergence in Art

My upbringing in New Orleans, mental health and neurodivergence, and my years of collaborations with fellow artists all influence my art style. This collection specifically relates to our minds, surroundings, and emotional states. Additionally, I went undiagnosed ADHD until I was 17, so the last 12 years have been an exploration of unmasking my mind through creativity.

Embracing Authenticity

I hope that my audience finds a way to connect and unmask their emotions in front of my art. I try to create intentional safe space for everyone when displaying my work, in the hopes that a viewer will be able to create that safe space in their own home through art. Allowing viewers to be their truest most genuine selves within art spaces and homes leads to healthier relationships, connection, and community building. Every client and friend of Kyla Yager Artwork is a part of something much bigger than home decor, its acceptance and comfort.

Inclusive Art for All Perspectives

I love getting the opportunity to share my work and story with all kinds of people, not just the neurodivergent community. Allies and loved ones of those struggling are just as important. I've had parents of ADHD kids tell me my art help them better understand their child's disability.

A significant component within most my work is the eyeball. People often ask why I have them in most of my pieces. Eyes can be seen as either "eyes of empathy" or "eyes of judgement". My artwork looks back at the viewer with eyes of empathy, always. But those who quickly walk past without really looking, those are the eyes of judgement, like how neurodivergent people are looked at everyday.

Check out Kyla's Fineline Collection: