Power Aesthetics celebrates independent artists within Baltimore’s skate culture. Inspired by the intersection of portraiture, studio art, athleticism and street culture, Robinson’s initiative captures the raw energy and individuality of the city, focusing on the resurgence of roller-skating since the Covid pandemic.

Bringing the street to the artist’s studio in Baltimore’s historic Hooper Mill, the project’s new iteration showcases a collection of vibrant metal prints featuring local entrepreneurs, musicians, and artists on skates. Meticulously crafted in the photographer’s studio, the photographs utilize strobe lights and color gels to capture movement, energy, and form.

The exhibition features a large-scale slideshow projection of SK8R GRLS onto the gallery walls. With the backdrop of vibrant Baltimore club music, a curated playlist by Mighty Mark, this installation celebrates the pluricultural community and artistic aspects of skate culture, reflecting the urban experience of Baltimore. Robinson creates an immersive opportunity for the audience to appreciate the artistry of skating while emphasizing empowerment, athleticism, and femme identity within the skater community.

For her MAP debut, Robinson shifts the kaleidoscope of her vision away from portraiture to embrace figuration, color and motion. These images celebrate the universality of movement, of self-expression and definition, motion capture and high key lighting to photograph an indefinable essence of style and joy.  Helping to define this indefinable essence, Robinson has included her series ICONS – photographs of famous voguer Marquis Clanton and King Kory Kruze, both prominent figures in the int’l ballroom scene and based in Baltimore.

SK8R GRLS and ICONS series are conduits for spotlighting the nuanced facets of skate culture, ballroom scene and its legacy, and the creative community of Baltimore and its inherent inclusivity. The project serves as a potent platform for local artists, magnifying their creative voices, while simultaneously serving as a vibrant celebration of Baltimore’s unparalleled creative spirit. Through innovative photography techniques and the immersive environment of the slideshow projection, the project encapsulates the essence of Baltimore’s unique artistic identity.

STACKS exhibition features select portraits of Baltimore artists and celebrate our creative community in the Fine Arts Department at Pratt Library Cathedral Street. STACKS exhibition opened January 1st 2025 and will be up through Feb. 10th. As part of this project, I had the opportunity to pull some of my favorite photo books from the library’s collection and create a unique installation in the stacks. Exhibition will include a public lecture Jan. 27th at 6pm in the Poe Room.