Justin Aranha

Biographical Information

Justin Aranha

b. 1990, Dubai, United Emirates; lives and works in Toronto, ON

Education

2010 Seneca @ York, Toronto, ON

Selected Exhibitions

2019 A Love Ethic, Wedge Curatorial Projects, The Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, ON

www.justinaranha.com

Artist Reflection

Justin Aranha’s images present life as we used to know it: being close to many people in the water, sleeping on the TTC, and playing a sport without a face mask. The feeling of being in a body of water, feeling the weightlessness of one another, is a feeling I know I’ll experience again in the future. At this moment, Families in the Water, Treasure Beach, Jamaica, offers the much needed joy and warmth in a time when we are deprived of seeing our families. Sleeping Man line 2 Westbound is the reality of many commuters in the city. I miss being on a packed subway cart. I don’t miss being stuck inside a tunnel, but I miss the kindness of commuters who assured me that we were going to be okay as I managed panic attacks due to claustrophobia. This image presents a specific state of repose that is practiced by millions of people in the city. Finally, the Withrow Park Basketball Court reminds us of an activity (and passion) many people participate in. I’ve been in this scenario so many times: watching people handle the ball and communicate with their bodies on where the ball might go, practicing with their teammates on how they can succeed. I’ve sat on many park benches spectating different sports games, enjoying the warm breeze and joy of what these team sports bring to us. I am taken by Justin Aranha’s eye and the choices he makes about which moments to document. He approaches each subject with such ease and care that he makes us feel like we really are there, a part of the scene, a passerby going about our day.

– Camille Rojas