Friends of the Firm: Artist Yazz Atmore
At Tyrone Glover Law, we prioritize establishing a community-oriented presence in Denver rather than a traditional downtown office. To embody our mission, we enlisted the talents of local artist Yazz Atmore to create a piece reflective of our values. Yazz's dedication to supporting the community through the arts, evidenced by her unique degree in "Supporting the Community through the Arts" from Metropolitan State University, resonates deeply with our firm. This week, we had the privilege of sitting down with Yazz to uncover the narrative behind the dynamic mural adorning our space, exploring her inspiration, process, and impact.
Can you share a bit about yourself as an artist?
I’m Yazz Atmore. I am a collagist and a wheat-paste muralist. In other words, I cut up peoples faces and play in glue all day. [laughs] I'm an educator, I'm a creative, and I'm a community organizer.
All of my work is rooted in my spiritual practice: I work with and honor my dead. Hence my Instagram name, “chatty ancestors.” I look at my work as a portal between the viewer and the divine–and however the divine comes through for the viewer, it's up to you after that.
A lot of my inspiration also comes from Afrofuturism, ancestral wisdom, and just the building of worlds–often times through collage, with the use of bold colors and flowers.
How did you get your start as a muralist?
I was just trying to be a cute little art teacher when I first got into art. I was working as a middle school art teacher while getting my degree at the Metropolitan State University. I had been working with kiddos for a long time, but had not created art for myself in over 13 years.
My boss at the time gave me a box of collage stuff, and I started playing with it. I remember I had these visions in my head–and over time I put together five pieces for my portfolio. I submitted them to a Black history art gallery show, and all of them sold. And that's actually what paid my bills that month!
Fast forward to June of 2021–I took a leap of faith of becoming a full time artist and from there, I've been doing it ever since. I've been able to do over 30 murals in the last three years. I'm able to travel now, do art residencies, and I’m really, really grateful.
Tell us about your amazing piece in our office.
The piece is called Lady Liberty, and it's actually my friend's face. All of my work is rooted in and inspired by black women, and black bodies, taking up spaces that you normally wouldn't see them in.
The flowers that I reference are from a Black + Blossomed [another POC-owned business located in Denver] floral bouquet. The flowers are coming out of her like she's blooming. She is unapologetic, and I think the work you all are doing in the community is unapologetic.
The scales represent justice, but also balance. Not only balance in the physical world, but also the emotional world–how we're always constantly balancing the ebbs and flow of our journeys.
You all are here, and I wanted this mural to reflect that, and be proud of that. It's really dope to see this beautiful work you are doing in our communities.
Come experience Lady Liberty in person at our office, and see more of Yazz’s incredible work on her portfolio website.
