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Jordan Browne: Sweet Dreams, Francis

July 12 – August 13, 2017
Student Gallery, The Image Centre (formerly Ryerson Image Centre)

Sweet Dreams, Francis explores themes of masculinity in relation to the body and its portrayal in the nude genre. Browne’s photographs of various gay and queer men evoke a sense of calm and quiet—a proposition that contrasts with depictions of male bodies in photography and visual media in general. Fabrics are employed throughout as a means of softening the imagery, thereby gently disrupting traditional notions of masculinity. His work aims to serve as a response to his own experiences as a queer individual: by focusing on individuals who do not subscribe to heteronormative values, Browne ultimately encourages viewers to reflect on commonly held definitions of manliness and its relevance in present-day society.

Shirtless man lying down, facing away
Fig. 1

Jordan Browne, Untitled, 2016, pigment print. Courtesy of the artist

A naked man sits on a grey couch, arms loosely crossed
Fig. 2

Jordan Browne, Untitled 04, 2016, pigment print. Courtesy of the artist

A man's shoulder and upper back, neck slightly turned to the right
Fig. 3

Jordan Browne, Untitled 10, 2016, pigment print. Courtesy of the artist

An old photograph of two shirtless men lying in a patch of grass, one of them holding a bottle
Fig. 4

Unknown photographer, Untitled, ca. 1940–60, gelatin silver print. Courtesy of Jordan Browne

Old photograph of a young man laying down, hands behind his head. Handwritten text reads 'Sweet Dreams, Francis'
Fig. 5

Unknown photographer, Untitled, ca. 1940–60, gelatin silver print. Courtesy of Jordan Browne

Artist Bio

Jordan Browne

Jordan Browne is a photo-based artist located in Toronto whose work focuses on the nude form and the ways in which body language and gesture can communicate underlying emotions. Browne obtained his BFA in Photography at the School of Image Arts, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), in Spring 2016. He has participated in group exhibitions and auctions within the Toronto community. Sweet Dreams, Francis is his first solo exhibition.

Installation Shots

A photograph of grey sheets, and a photograph of a man taking off a white shirt, both on a white wall
Fig. 1

Jordan Browne: Sweet Dreams, Francis (installation view), 2017 © James Morley, The Image Centre

A white-walled room full of photographs of naked men, their faces not pictured
Fig. 2

Jordan Browne: Sweet Dreams, Francis (installation view), 2017 © James Morley, The Image Centre

Three square photographs of a man's neck, shoulders, and back
Fig. 3

Jordan Browne: Sweet Dreams, Francis (installation view), 2017 © James Morley, The Image Centre