Artist Bio:
Mya Osborne is a Caribbean American artist based in Orlando, Florida, whose work focuses on gun reform activism. Specializing in oil paint and charcoal, Mya creates powerful visual narratives that address the ongoing gun and mass shooting crisis in America, particularly in schools. Her art invites the viewer to feel a sense of urgency as they confront her uncomfortable imagery. Currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in Emerging Media Studio Art and Design at the University of Central Florida, Mya is committed to using her artistic voice to foster dialogue and inspire change. Looking ahead, she aims to expand her impact through large-scale installations, collaborative projects, and eventually becoming both a professor and gun reform activist to further promote social justice and meaningful gun reform.
Artist Statement:
My work focuses on spaces that are deeply familiar to us: schools. The innocence of education coupled with the stark reality of violence is a uniquely American problem, and I seek to challenge the complacency surrounding it. As a painter, I explore the presence and absence of students in environments meant to be safe havens: classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds. These spaces should be filled with energy and the joy of learning, but instead, they have become symbols of danger and loss. It is my greatest intention to evoke discomfort in the viewer —a sense of unease that is not only necessary but productive in its urgency to call for action. I believe it is far better to feel discomfort and advocate for change than to experience the profound sorrow and heartache of those who have lost loved ones to this epidemic of violence. Through my art, I hope to spark conversations about the urgency of this crisis and the need for meaningful reform.
