Tyrone’s art documents
his experiences of living
on the margins of society
For Tyrone Patkoski, a 59-year-old, former homeless, urban Native American, creating art is an unconscious act of personal expression.
His visceral paintings, drawings, and three-dimensional objects document his inner struggles, both painful and playful, in innermost detail.
His work is refreshingly direct and genuine. He doesn't think or care about its meaning. For Tyrone, it's simply brain, to brush, to canvas.
Tyrone has never taken an art class, never visited a gallery and has never studied art.
When looking at Tyrone’s work, viewers experience Tyrone's life in intimate detail – a complicated life spent on the fringes of society – mental illness, homelessness, depression, and isolation.
Cultural symbols are expressed in distorted convulsions that only someone half Polish, half Native American could experience.
Terms used to describe his art might include Outsider Art, Folk Art, or Intuitive Art; meaningless terms to Tyrone. Such banter is reserved for those with stable lives, stable minds, food and a home.
Self Portrait, 10” x 18”
Pen and ink drawing on file folder
Tyrone's art can be seen at the Tahoma Indian Center, 1556 Market St., Tacoma, WA 98402, 253-593-2707