HGw19th: The Birthplace of a Vision
In the late 2000s, New York City was entering a new creative cycle—artists, designers, and independent voices were beginning to reclaim space in a city that had always thrived on cultural disruption. For $TYLJA, also known as Daraja Hakizimana, this moment wasn’t just a wave to ride—it was the spark that ignited a movement. Where It All Started: West 19th Street Between 2009 and 2010, Daraja stepped into Heidi Powell Prera’s HG Gallery, a creative hub known for its eclectic mix of visual artists, sculptors, painters, and experimental creators. Located in the Heights in Houston, Texas on West 19th Street. The gallery served as a magnet for independent talent, and Heidi’s vision was expanding fast. Daraja quickly became an important part of that expansion—assisting with new artists, helping organize creative initiatives, and contributing to the gallery’s push into new cultural lanes. But he also saw something else: a lane that wasn’t being fully represented yet within the gallery’s...
