Embrace it!

Martina Shamon

A young person with blonde-streaked brown hair and bright yellow eyeshadow lies on their left side on a vibrant yellow surface, looking intently at the camera. They are wearing a light pink graphic t-shirt, white pants, and a textured, ruffled white arm sleeve on their right arm. Numerous colorful and intricately designed compact discs, some appearing to be K-pop albums like 'Temptation' by TXT, are scattered around them.

“Embrace It!” is a photographic series rooted in the experience of being discouraged from your own interests, the subtle and not-so-subtle ways girls are told that what they love isn’t quite right for them, that their enthusiasm is misplaced, or that they simply don’t belong in a particular space. The work is an act of refusal: a space where those interests are celebrated without apology, and where the pressure to shrink yourself is met with the decision to do the opposite. For anyone who has felt that discouragement, this series is an invitation to recognize yourself, feel seen, and keep going.

    About The Artist

    A graphic featuring the word 'Inhale' in solid white, sans-serif text, centered above the word 'Exhale,' which is rendered in a semi-transparent, fading white. Both words are set against a background with a subtle grain texture, transitioning from a dark dusty blue at the top to a very pale blue-white at the bottom.

    Martina Shamon

    Martina Shamon is a Toronto-based photographer whose practice spans editorial studio portraiture, still life, and commercial photography. Drawn to the expressive potential of the studio environment, she uses photography as a means of self-expression and visual storytelling. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Image Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University.

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