Solana Cain

Black Maternal Health Week begins today and I’m honoured to share photos from the campaign I shot for the Black Birth Equity Project offered by @babydovecare Racial disparities in maternal health prevent Black moms from being able to expect the care they deserve. The maternal care gap has created a world where Black women are dying at 3-5x the rate of white women – with 60% of these deaths being preventable. Research shows moms are 2x less likely to experience birth complications and are more likely to experience overall positive health outcomes when supported by a doula. First launched in August 2021, Baby Dove’s Black Birth Equity Project has now provided over $650,000 in grants to help over 500 Black moms access doula support during their pregnancy and postpartum journeys. To the mothers in this campaign: Ronique, Jazzmine, Kendra, Matilda and Jasmine, who are all recipients of a Black Birth Equity grant, thank you for sharing your stories. Your empowerment and work to support other Black mothers and Black birthing individuals is so inspiring. - - - Retouching Jose Sierra @digital.catfish Lighting Amanda Greene @amandagreeneworks and Emilee Ramsier @emilee.ramsier Digital Tech Ray Hardy @rayhardyphoto Stylist Fatiha Johnson @styleprovoking Hairstylist Arlene Martin @ArleneMartinHair and @Joycegilliard Makeup Jamila DeBow @jdebowbeauty and Yvonda Smith @yvondasmithbeauty Props Risha Carnes @rishacarnes Producer Callie Householder @calliehouseholderproductions Production Assistant Jana Trimble @janatrimble …..what a team! 🙏🏾💫

For @contactphoto , I had the great pleasure of curating a public exhibit of Jorian Charlton (@jjjorian )’s work. We choose a portrait titled ‘Georgia’, created in 2020 and named after the model pictured. “Georgia’s sexuality is alluring in this portrait; she is comfortable in her skin, confidently basking in the sun. Her fierce autonomy challenges any stereotypes or other narratives that viewers may hold. The building featured in Charlton’s portrait mirrors those surrounding the site of this public installation, testifying to Georgia’s presence as one that belongs on this site and in this city. The image is elevated above street level and enlarged to a massive scale, allowing her to tower over passersby, cementing her presence and drawing attention to the mainstream underrepresentation of Black women, who remain resilient despite this fact. In this work, both model and artist define their identities while simultaneously proclaiming their power.” Follow the link in bio to hear Jorian speak about her work and read my entire curator’s essay. You’ve got until the end of the month to see this in person. Located at 460 King St W at Spadina 💫

Finally got my hands on @macleansmag June issue that features my photography Honouring Black Mothers. Seeing these photos in print again has helped me feel closer to community even though we remain apart. I have endless gratitude for all the mothers who agreed to be photographed and shared such intimates moments with their babies. I started this project because there is not nearly enough joyful imagery of Black mothers. Their strength and perseverance needs to honoured now more than ever. My photos were published alongside words by Bee Quammie (@beequammie ) Bee is a prolific writer, speaker, facilitator and mother. In 2018, she agreed to be in my first project on Black Mothers (see slide 3) so having her words honour my photos was full circle for me. Bee writes, “From [Solana’s] personal perspective to understanding the obstacles Black mothers face statistically—namely, higher maternal mortality rates and the over-representation of Black children in the care of the state—[Solana] uses her work to provide a record of the determination of Black motherhood.” Thank you to Liz Sullivan (@lizthesullivan ) at Maclean’s for this opportunity! And I’ll be working on part three of this project later this year (🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾), please reach out if you’d like to be involved!! 🖤 #BlackMotherhoodIsResistance

Salon 44 is open until Saturday, March 21, with over 60 framed artworks and unframed prints available for purchase! Gallery 44’s annual fundraising exhibition in support of our education and exhibition programs. Representing the best in Canadian photography, Salon 44 brings together an incredible collection of established and emerging artists with works priced for both new and seasoned collectors alike. Salon 44 is co-chaired by Solana Cain, Sayem Khan and Maegan Broadhurst. Participating artists include: Alastair Martin · Albert Hoang · Alex Hall · Amara King · Antony Creary · Anthony Gebrehiwot · Attila Ataner · Ben Dickey · Brianna Roye · Colby Jones · Cruz · Dalia Rahhal · David Brandy · David Scriven · Ehiko Odeh · Eric Garsonnin · Erin McGean · Ernesto Cabral de Luna · Eve Tagny · Fred Lum · Gabrielle Tyrie · Gerald Pisarzowski · Grace Wang · Hannah Doucet · Heather Legere · Holly Chang · Jacynthe Carrier · Jesse King · Joel Rodriguez · John Faragher · Jordan King · Kate Young · Kosar Movahedi · Kyungmin Kate Lee · Leila Fatemi · Luther Konadu · Magida El-Kassis · Marco Buonocore · Matt Nish-Lapidus · Miguel Caba · Muna Muse · Nicole Beno · Oriana Confente · Paras Vijan · Paula McLean · Paulina Bereza · Pedro Barbáchano · Philip Leonard Ocampo · Pixel Heller · Ramolen Laruan · Rebecca Wood · Sabrina Sisco · Shellie Zhang · Solange Adum Abdala · Tanya Gradyuk · Tyler Matheson · Willy Le Maitre · Yuhan Zheng · Zack Pospieszynski Art Metropole Publication Room For the first time, G44 is teaming up with our longstanding community partner to present the Art Metropole Publication Room, including a curated selection of artists’ books, multiples, and editions from their storefront. Make a difference‍ All proceeds from the sale of the artworks directly support our charitable mission to support artists through meaningful production, education and exhibition opportunities. Link in bio to peruse available artwork. To purchase a piece, visit the gallery, call (416) 979-3941 or email [email protected]. Thank you to our framing sponsor @toimageworks 📸 Salon 44, photo documentation by Darren Rigo at Gallery 44 (Toronto), 2026

still sunkissed ☀️

That’s a wrap on this year’s Salon 44! So much gratitude to all the artists that contributed work 💫 Thank you to everyone who visited the show and supported Gallery 44 (@g44photo ) by buying art. What I love about G44 and its membership program is that it’s a unique meeting place for photo based artists to share ideas, collaborate, use resources and have exhibition opportunities. On any given day, you’ll find early career to established artists there creating. G44 is a cherished space. Salon 44 is the opportunity to help protect it. If you’re still thinking about a piece, sales will stay open until the end of the month. Link in bio. Tremendous thank you to co chairs Maegan Broadhurst and Sayem Khan.

she sizzled ☀️💃🏾

Summer’s flying so time for a stroll thru my photo reel ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ [What’s not pictured is when ‘rona came to town and knocked me out for a couple weeks. So 🥂 to health and if you’re feeling off, recognize the signs, stay home and stop the spread 😷 ✌🏾]

missin’ Holbox nights

💥 I am the Woman 💥 a solo presentation of works by Jorian Charlton (@jjjorian ) curated by yours truly at Cooper Cole gallery (@coopercole ) Thank you to everyone who came out this weekend for the exhibition walk through. It was such an honour to talk about Jorian’s thoughtful approach to portraiture and discuss a couple of the pieces I love the most. This exhibition is my curatorial debut and to be able to work with a rising artist like Jorian who has such a high calibre of work is more than I could’ve asked for. I also cannot adequately express the gratitude I have for the team at @coopercole - Elsa, Jessann, Magdalyn, Jem, Hilary and Simon thank you for all the support and faith you put in me. If the you missed this weekend’s event, the gallery is open Wed - Sat and the show runs until April 16. DM for sales info and follow the link in my bio for press release.

This weekend’s Globe and Mail features a photo essay by Jeff Bierk (@jeffari ) that captures the resiliency of our unhoused neighbours in Moss Park. Jeff’s dedication to supporting this community was at the forefront of our collaboration. It was crucial to him that along with publishing his photos from the last year that we also centre the voices of folks who live in Moss Park encampment - “They wanted to take me from here, and wherever they’re supposed to take me is not the same [as] where I choose. One thing I know for sure: the rich help the richest. People need help and need shelters. That’s the only thing we need from the city’,’ said AK. ESN volunteer Simone Schmidt wrote, “...there’d be fewer encampments if the City invested in housing rather than an infrastructure of displacement.” And Toronto Tiny Shelter carpenter Khaleel Seivwright wrote, “I really hope before next winter that the city can provide permeant affordable housing to the people living outside. I also hope that there isn’t a need for Toronto Tiny Shelters to exist. The city should drop its injunction towards me and commit its resources to working for people instead of against them.” I will remember these words as I frequently and freely access parks this summer for recreation Image 1 - Photo by @jeffari Image 2 - Layout design by @bryangeedesign #encampment #mosspark #esn #toronto

#fridayflex still so happy about @plannedparenthood sharing my work last month. I’ve been going to planned parenthood for ALL my sexual health needs since I was 17. This organization is so important ✊🏾🙏🏾 🌈