This exhibition emerges from many serendipitous moments that span more than two decades. It features a selection of new and recent works by celebrated photographer Janice Reid that highlight her practice in studio portraiture, documentary realism and experimental storytelling. The exhibition’s title Fluorescent Beige is a nod to our friendship and to Reid’s early career. Through it we tell a story—our story—of authenticity, alignment and the celebration of Black culture.

I was born and raised in Kingston, where I was often the only Black girl in any given space. When it came time to go to university, I chose to move to the Greater Toronto Area so that I could blend in a little more. But despite the diversity of the city, I was still one of a few Black women in my courses. That’s where I met Janice Reid.

Janice was one of the other few Black women. She was studying photography. I was often invited to her studio where she would experiment, taking photographs of me for her assignments. Knowing Janice was one of the highlights of my university career and I continued to follow her work and successes as an artist. What I love and appreciate about Janice’s work is how it captures the many nuances of Blackness in a thoughtful and caring way. I think she uses photography to create spaces for deeper conversations on Black identity, diaspora and the unseen threads that connect us across space and time.

Fast forward 20 years. I am back in Kingston working as the EDI Coordinator at the Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion. I often say that I am serving my younger self in this role. I support queer and racialized students to build community with their peers and affirm their cultural identities. It’s in this role that I met photographer King-David Olajuwon. King-David is a nursing student and is also very passionate about capturing the Black student experience through photography. He’s often setting up photoshoots with his peers.

I don’t know about you, but I strongly believe in alignment.  I find it happens most often when people are living their most authentic and genuine lives. King-David reminds me of Janice when we were undergrads. I was thinking about this one-day last year and noticed Janice commenting on King-David’s Instagram page!

This exhibition continues our serendipitous association. We celebrate and honour expanding circles of connection.

– Tianna Edwards

Janice Reid is a Canadian-Jamaican artist based in Brampton, ON. Her work has been exhibited at Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, BAND Gallery, PAMA, the Art Gallery of Mississauga, the National Gallery of Jamaica, and the National Portrait Gallery. With participation in major art fairs and cultural initiatives, Janice Reid continues to establish her presence within the international contemporary photography scene. This is her first solo exhibition in a public gallery in Canada.

Hero image: Janice Reid, Untitled, digital photograph, 2024. Courtesy of artist