roya delsol

_biography

Roya is Black media artist based in T'karonto.  Working primarily as a lens-based artist, she aims for her work in all spheres to center and uplift the experiences Black, queer, and marginalized peoples.  She creates photographic, video, and immersive (XR)  work; capturing Black femme intimacies, strength & joy in hopes of visualizing new, liberated worlds. In her curatorial practice, this envisioning takes shape by means of disruption via institutional critique. She sees technology, magic and ancestral knowledge as not disparate, but interconnected frameworks to inform each other; utilizing the subversive qualities of magical realism in imagining Black futures. 

She is drawn to the disruptive nature of Black femme rage, revenge and retribution, and expressions of Black queer eroticisms. Having directed music videos, live performance series, music documentary content and experimental documentaries; Roya’s imagery has been utilized by companies such as Spotify, Adidas, YouTube, Amazon Music, Aritzia, FLARE, HXOUSE, the Art Gallery of Ontario, NXNE, Globe & Mail, Maggie's: Toronto Sex Workers Action Project and more.

As a self-taught artist, she strongly believes in the power of the arts to create third spaces that foster community and connection. She deeply values mentorship, is a strong advocate for the necessity of community arts funding, and is committed to her projects being not only visual-striking work but also spaces where creators can engage in open dialogue and play.