ROBERT YOUNG
FACE OF JAMAICA | 2015 | YOUNG WORLD FACES
The Artist + Storyteller
Robert Young is a storyteller who anchors himself in the communication of ideas that encourage and inspire wellness. His photographic practice originated from his desire to master composition for his work as a filmmaker.
Through its offering of solace, photography quickly became Young’s preferred medium of expression as it provided a profound way to creatively document and celebrate human resilience and global culture. His work reveals the heart of people while constructively reframing places and things whose powerful impact can be overlooked due to familiarity. By creating a revelation in perspective and skewing perception toward joy, Young hopes to assist others to access the healing and enjoyable experience of rediscovering the beauty in themselves and their surroundings.
Young’s work bridges fine art and cultural documentation, forming the foundation of his large-scale public art activations. His signature series, YOUNG WORLD FACES, invites viewers to “See Themselves In The Eyes Of Others.” The series originated from his ongoing travel collection, YOUNG WORLD ENLIGHT, which delves into the expression of human agency in culturally rich regions such as Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Medellín, Colombia.
Driven to create art that heals, Robert Young combines fine art photography with transformative public art activations that serve to inspire local, national, and global communities alike.
Robert is an inspirational artist whose seemingly boundless ingenuity is only matched by his passion for the creative process." Stephen M. Ross
Owner/Chairman The Related Group + The Miami Dolphins
Robert Young has created an incredible body of work that helps one to remember who we are amidst a sea of bull$hit." Lisane Basquiat
Co-executor of the Estate of Jean Michel Basquiat
Robert Young’s YOUNG WORLD FACES, holds up a mirror to us reflecting an interdependent global world. Through these Faces, we see vulnerability and triumph – the power of the human spirit. They inspire and nourish the soul.” Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Representative of His Majesty The King
We enthusiastically welcome Robert Young, an artist that stands as a critical contributor to both global politics and local community engagement, to SCOPE Miami Beach, as we celebrate his new and diverse voice.” Alexis Hubshman, Founder, SCOPE International Art Fair
Art Basel Miami Art Week
ROBERT YOUNG ARTISTRY the work
FACES OF EL CLÁSICO
YOUNG WORLD FACES | The Signature Series
About This Series
This Signature Conceptual Portrait Series has been viewed by millions through expositions at Canada 150 at Royal Ontario Museum, the Pan American Games at CIBC's national HQ, El Clásico Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium & Fontainebleau Miami Beach Resort, and in the Queens Park Offices of Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
In 2010, 3 editions of Face Of Haiti were sold at the United Way's Haiti Art Expo where Robert Young donated 66% of the proceeds to assist in the purchasing of semi-permanent housing after the 2010 earthquake. Face Of Canada received on of the Canadian Governments highest honour when it was purchased by the nations oldest art archive, the Government of Ontario Art Collection.
The Future Of The Series: YOUNG WORLD FACES The LA Edition is Robert Young's newest endeavour. Created to expand the series into an extensive visual storytelling art experience, the expansion has been primed for the City of Angeles' upcoming season of hosting global events in both 2026 & 2028.
Watch The Making Of YOUNG WORLD FACES above. View a selection of portraits from the series below.
MISSION STATEMENT
YOUNG WORLD FACES is a transformational movement exemplified through the art of storytelling.
Robert Young created this series of images to inspire the revelation of human stories that help citizens of every nation recognize, not only their own beauty but also our global commonality.
YOUNG WORLD FACES endeavours to set a new standard for human acceptance by highlighting our similarities in an attempt to achieve the mutually beneficial goal of eradicating war, injustice, prejudice, and negativity, all derived from our incorrectly perceived differences.
FREETOWN REBORN | Axiom Of Beauty
About This Series
Photographed in Sierra Leone West Africa. Freetown Reborn is the feather in the cap of Robert' Young's ongoing travel series, YOUNG WORLD ENLIGHT.
The still images in this series were captured while Robert Young was in Sierra Leone filming a documentary just a year and a half after their 11-year, blood diamond-fueled, civil war.
The documentary covered War Child’s Canada’s implementation of a $160K donation for programing and admin support to local NGO (AUCAYD) Artist United For Children and Youth Development.
Watch Freetown Reborn above. View a selection of the photographs from the series below.
MISSION STATEMENT
Freedom in body...Pain in mind,
History filled with regrets
Moving pictures...Speaking in poetics,
Communication reminds who forgets
Dreams in reality...Srength in faith,
Love will not allow a sequel
Forward in thinking...Futuristic in belief,
True beauty shifts perspective of the people.
YOUNG WORLD EN~LIGHT | Additional Exhibited Works
FIRST CLICK | 2008 | Hong Kong
"I had taken up photography as a tool to expand my sense of composition for my film work. After I captured this photograph of a couple "walking in to the future," in Hong Kong, my view of photography forever changed and it quickly became one of my favorite fundamental forms of storytelling." Robert Young
Activations + Exhibitions
TORONTO PAN AMERICAN GAMES | 2015
YOUNG WORLD FACES | CIBC National Headquarters | Toronto
7ft Tall Backlit Portraits illuminate the national headquarters of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), lead sponsor of the games
CITY OF TORONTO YEAR OF PUBLIC ART | 2021
UNMASK FEAR | Harbourfront Centre | Toronto
The largest public art activation of Black photographic portraits in the history of Canada matches powerful masked images with intimate interviews revealing what it means to Unmask Fear in the heart of global pandemic and heightened racial awareness.
EL CLÁSICO MIAMI | PRESS CONFERENCE | 2017
YOUNG WORLD FACES of Sport | Fontainebleau Miami Beach Resort
7-story (65 by 50ft) portraits adorn the Miami Beach Hotel in front of 100 International Media Outlets.
EL CLÁSICO MIAMI | MATCH | 2017
YOUNG WORLD FACES of Sport | Hard Rock Stadium
Two 65ft by 50ft Portraits grace the newly renovated Hard Rock Stadium to host the two most famous teams in sport. It would be the first time, Lionel Messi, the greatest player of his generation, would play in Miami.
ART BASEL MIAMI ART WEEK | 2019
YOUNG WORLD FACES | Historic Lyric Theatre | Overtown Miami
This triple-threat activation featured a 3000 sq-ft exterior activation, 2-floor Exhibition featuring 6ft wide photographs, and a documentary film by Robert Young playing on repeat inside historic theatre.
ART BASEL MIAMI ART WEEK | 2018
YOUNG WORLD FACES | Robert Young Mobile Art Gallery, Activation & Exhibit | Miami/Beach
This multi-layered activation featured the introduction of the Robert Young Gallery Mobile Art Fair, a 50ft exterior facade activation and an interior exhibition.
UNITED GC | 2020
UNMASK FEAR | NoMa Washington DC
In response to a global pandemic and issues of inequality, a 150ft Public Art Activation looks to Unmask Fear.
UNION MARKET | 2020
Union Market | Washington DC
An activation provides awareness and hope amidst a rising pandemic, a global dialogue on race equality, and an unprecedented election.
ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM | CANADA 150 | 2017
FACE OF CANADA Special Edition | Toronto
A 3-story projection, 7ft Lightboxes honour the life of Bob Marley while a 14ft textile print celebrates Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation.
Biography
Robert Young | Storyteller
Robert Young | Storyteller + Artist
(b. 1972, Toronto, Canada)
Born to a Jamaican/Chinese mother and Jamaican father, Robert Young’s lifelong passion for communication and cultural storytelling has shaped a dynamic career spanning fine art photography, filmmaking, mentorship, and large-scale public art activations. His work is celebrated for its exploration of identity, resilience, and the power of human connection.
A Multifaceted Journey
From dancing on international stages to hosting the groundbreaking poetry showcase All Truths Spoken Are Poetry In Motion, Young gave voice to Caribbean immigrant youth and honed his own as an orator dedicated to fostering community and self-expression. His commitment to personal and collective wellness has also seen him share his story as a public speaker, inspiring audiences with reflections on creativity, resilience, and purpose.
Young’s creative evolution led to the production of award-winning music videos and commercials, a poetry album, and the publication of Daily Inspiration, a book that offers reflections on personal growth and perseverance, further underscoring his dedication to uplifting others.
Artistic Evolution
Robert’s transition into filmmaking and photography allowed him to amplify his storytelling, resulting in the acclaimed series YOUNG WORLD FACES. This body of work, which began in Sierra Leone, reflects his commitment to documenting stories from the African and Caribbean diasporas. His fine art prints are housed in prestigious collections, including the Archive of Ontario Art Collection and the personal collection of Lisane Basquiat, who acquired seven of his works.
Innovative Public Art Activations
Robert’s large-scale experiential art activations have captivated audiences across North America, including:
- The Pan American Games at the Canadian Bank of Commerce
- El Clásico Miami at the Fontainebleau Resort and Hard Rock Stadium
- Royal Ontario Museum commissions celebrating Bob Marley and Canada’s 150th Confederation Anniversary
Expanding Horizons
Young continues to push boundaries with his YOUNG WORLD FACES series, currently being developed for FIFA 2026 and the 2028 Olympics. His artistic mission extends into storytelling through multiple mediums, including a feature film on Lennox Lewis and his Bright Famed Shining podcast, which explores creativity and wellness.
Whether through mentoring youth, creating art, or speaking on wellness and creativity, Young’s career is a testament to the power of art to inspire and uplift communities. As described by Ellen Bryan of WUSA News Washington DC, Robert Young is an “Artist of the People.”
In The News
WUSA9 GREAT DAY WASHINGTON | 2021
CTV CANADA AM | 2015
CBC | 2021
Lisane Basquiat's SHAPING FREEDOM Podcast | 2024
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