Tyta Buth sat in the library at Regent’s for two hours, building up the courage to ask a fellow student if she could photograph her. The student happily agreed – and this became Tyta’s first foray into portrait photography. What follows is an incredible story of a side-line hobby turned acclaimed business, with exhibitions and exciting collaborations in her home country of Cambodia.
Tyta studied BA (Hons) Global Management at Regent’s, but specifically chose the programme for its option of the Design Management pathway. ‘I’ve always been creative,’ Tyta says ‘and this programme gave me the opportunity to explore that creativity while also giving me some solid business experience. Plus, the opportunity to study abroad at Parsons School of Design in New York was a game changer. In addition to all I was learning at Regent’s, exploring New York with places like the MoMA on my doorstep was incredible. That time abroad really allowed me to start thinking outside of the box in terms of what I wanted to do with my art and my career.’
By the time her final year arrived, Tyta’s hobby of portrait photography had developed into a real passion. ‘My mum gave me my first camera when I was 15. I used to go into the street and take photos, but not really know what I was doing. As I became more confident in my photography skills, I realised how interested I was in portrait photography and the stories hidden behind every face. While studying at Regent’s I spent time building a portfolio of portraits, taking photos of friends and other students – anyone who I knew would make a fascinating photo.’
Tyta’s first exhibition was in Regent’s Knapp Gallery. Since then, she's gone on to exhibit in some major spaces, making big waves on the Cambodian art scene. Her modern, fresh collaborations with graphic designers, musicians and even clothing lines sets her art apart and is starting to attract interest globally.
‘Taking the Global Management programme with the design pathway really prepared me for my photography journey. I'm now well equipped to manage the business side of creating my own company, while also having had the space to develop my creative skills throughout my degree.’
Find out more about Tyta’s art and her upcoming exhibitions here.