Untitled (2025), silver gelatin on baryta paper
About
J.A. Young (b. 1986) is a trans, autistic, experimental mixed media artist and photographer based in the American South. Her research-based practice draws on a range of influences (e.g., cultural anthropology, world mysticism, and the occult) to critically engage contemporary socio-political and ecological issues.
Thematically, Young’s work explores how humanity has abused its own technological innovations to seize control of an entire planet: from the cultivation of fire to the advent of agriculture, all the way to the nuclear era and the age of the internet.
The final output of Young’s process consists of unique and limited edition works on paper. Each piece belongs to an ongoing, ever-evolving body of work that Young divides into distinct phases or series — the first two of which are titled OF FIRE, FAR SHINING (2023-2024) and ANGELS (2024-present).
Solo Monograph
2024. OF FIRE, FAR SHINING (featuring selected prints from Young’s 2023-2024 series). Zone.
AWARDS
2025. Author Book Award Shortlist. Les Rencontres d'Arles Book Awards.
2025. Photo Award Shortlist and Highly Commended. Belfast Photo Festival.
2025. Urbanautica Awards Special Mention. Urbanautica Institute.
2025. Gomma Grant Finalist. Gomma.
2024. OD Prize Shortlist and Judge's Pick. Open Doors Gallery.
2024. Gomma Black and White Awards Shortlist. Gomma.
2024. Photography Grant Shortlist. PhMuseum.
Group Exhibitions
2025. “I’ve Seen Things You People Wouldn’t Believe”. Revela’t and Photo Art Books. Vila nova i la Geltrú, Spain.
2025. “What is the First Image You Remember?” Zero Feedback. Tokyo, Japan.
2025. “Rational Inattention”. Zero Feedback. Tokyo, Japan.
2024-2025. OD Prize Exhibition. Open Doors Gallery. London, UK.
2024-2025. OD Prize Exhibition. Open Doors Gallery. Online.
2024. Verzasca Photo Festival. PhMuseum. Sonogno, Switzerland.
2024. Kranj Photo Festival. PhMuseum. Kranj, Slovenia.
2024. PhMuseum Days Photo Festival. PhMuseum. Bologna, Italy.
2024. Fotofestiwal Łódź. PhMuseum. Łódź, Poland.
2024. “Fetish”. Zone. Rome, Italy.
Features
2025. Photobook Review. Discarded.
2025. Featured Project. Yogurt.
2025. Portfolio Feature. Float.
2024. Featured Project. Nowhere Diary.
2024. Featured Project. Figures Photography.
2024. Featured Project. Journal of Urban Photography.
2024. Featured Project. Phroom.
2024. Spotlight Feature. Arttaca.
2024. Featured Project. PhMuseum.
2024. “Dans l’œil de J.A. Young: l’hydre monstrueuse qui domine les États-Unis”. Fisheye.
2024. “Of Fire, Far Shining: l’effroi, vu par J.A. Young”. Fisheye.
2023. “Mysticism and the Occult: The Work of J.A. Young”. Musée.
Collective Books
2025. “What is the First Image You Remember?” Zero Feedback.
2025. “Rational Inattention”. Zero Feedback.