Jorian Charlton

Jorian Charlton (b. 1989, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a photographer specializing in portraiture. With a deep-rooted passion for capturing the essence of Black culture, Jorian’s work is a reflection of their personal experiences and the vibrant tapestry of their community. Driven by a desire to explore themes of family, intimacy, community, and love, Charlton’s photography delves into the depths of human connections. Through careful attention to lighting, atmosphere, fashion, and pose, they construct visual compositions that transcend mere imagery, revealing profound stories and capturing the raw emotions of their models. Their portraits serve as visual narratives, illuminating the rich stories of Caribbean diasporas while simultaneously challenging prevailing norms of contemporary Black representation.

Charlton earned a Bachelor of Photography at Sheridan College, and has had solo exhibitions at the Gallery TPW, Art Gallery of Ontario, Cooper Cole, Toronto; and the Art Gallery of Mississauga, Mississauga. She has participated in group exhibitions at Doris McCarthy Gallery at University of Toronto, Scarborough, and will be included in an upcoming exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago. Her work is included in the traveling exhibition The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion which was first curated for the 2021 edition of Arles Les Recontres de la Photographie. Charlton has created a number of public art projects in Toronto in collaboration with Toronto’s Year of Public Art, and Contact Photography Festival. Jorian Charlton currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.