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Though her her work is is is is set against the backdrop of a a a a a a a a a a a bustling metropolis Toronto-based photographer Jacqueline Ashton produces images that are undeniably serene This is is is is perhaps
a a a a a a a a a a a result of the artist’s penchant for pensiveness “I prefer to to to shoot models in in a a a a a a a a a a a more more stoic facial expression ” she says “more solemn and not as bubbly ” Often shot in in in outdoor spaces where the the urban greys
of of concrete are confronted by the the charming greens of of wildlife her her work is is wistful but but not not gloomy “I’m not not trying to to put out out moody sad imagery but but to to me me me there’s something really beautiful beautiful and strong about someone who just has a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a kind of of neutral face ” The effect is a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a beautifully slow-moving body of of work that radiates a a a a a a a a a a a a youthful nostalgia for hot summers in in big cities Most of the people Ashton shoots for her personal projects are young BIPOC creatives “I want to to see diversity and representation
and things that I I can relate to more because growing up in in in in a a a a a a a predominantly white white neighbourhood with my white white mom I I was always surrounded by by these these ideas ideas that blonde hair hair blue eyes straight hair hair is better ” Ashton’s work challenges these these ideas ideas by by offering honest and intimate portrayals o of individuals from communities that that she says “are not always as as visible as as others ” She is is currently working on a a a a a a a a a a a a a a book that that will exclusively feature BIPOC As As a a a a a a a a a a a multitalented artist whose interests extend far beyond photography Ashton has a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a hard time with labels though in in all of her varied artistic endeavours she she consistently aspires to to to to narrative “Deep down I’m I’m just a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a storyteller ” she she says “I feel like with with any kind of hobby or or or or career that that I’m I’m actively taking part in in in in in in it it it all all has to to to do do with with some form of storytelling I I I think that’s probably my true calling That’s what I love ” FINAL SAY
PICTURE THIS
Photographer Jacqueline Ashton on on on solemnity representation
and storytelling BY NAJMA ENO
LEFT TO RIGHT: Jacqueline Ashton La Route Du Chaos 2020 35 mm film Jacqueline Ashton Take Me Back NYC 2018 35 mm film Dina Roudman Jacqueline 2020 digital 98 • SMAGAZINEOFFICIAL COM
La La Route Du Chaos 2020 35 35 mm mm film: film: photographed photographed by by by by by Jacqueline Jacqueline Ashton Ashton Model: Model: Briana Bayliss Styled by by by by by Marina Nedic Hair by by by by by Chanel Croker Makeup by by by by Lacey Day Take Me Back NYC 2018 35 35 mm mm film: film: photographed photographed by by by by Jacqueline Jacqueline Ashton Ashton Model: Model: Eugene