I Look at the World
Curated by Tayina Deravile
East Gallery
August 1st, 2025 – Sept 27th, 2025
I Look at the World is a photography exhibition featuring Joshua D. Buron, Nastassia Dillon, and Naja Hardmon. The show highlights the work of emerging Black photographers who capture Black lived experiences and fantasies. Through the visual dialogue of Buron, Dillon, and Hardmon, each image serves as a witness, offering accounts of Black life by way of the subject or as the artist at hand.
The title of the show is taken from a Langston Hughes poem. In the poem, Hughes reflects on the barriers and walls of oppression he sees with black eyes and a dark face. With his realized power, he invites his comrades to take the road to make a new reality. I Look at the World exhibition offers accounts of new realities and of self-expression, inviting viewers to reflect on personal and collective perspectives. Through dynamic compositions, these images reimagine beauty, celebrate individuality, and conjure spirit.
At a time when history is being rewritten, erased, or sanitized, Black photography and photographs become radical acts because they preserve memories and account for story and truth-telling. I Look at the World insists on the visibility of Black stories and creativity by making steps toward the “road to find”.
Featured Artists
Joshua D. Buron is a Haitian American multidisciplinary artist specializing in photography, poetry, digital, and traditional art. He is also the co-founder of Move Love Productions in 2018, an art collective that curates quality experiences for the community. His 2020 photo book, Good Jeans & Brown Suga, inspired him to use denim as a medium for his art, fashion shows, and installations. Known for his evocative works, Buron explores themes of the Black experience, creativity, and mental health. He is also celebrated for another innovative project, Everything & Mo, an illustrated comic that delves into the whimsical adventures of two characters, combining art and narrative to inspire freedom of expression and provoke thought. Through his diverse media, Buron aims to empower individuals to embrace their unique stories and potential.
Nastassia Dillon was born in Brooklyn, New York and is currently based in South Florida. She studied at Florida Atlantic University and received her B.A. in multimedia, her degree is focused on film, photography, and studio art. Dillon’s films have been exhibited in international film festivals including the Super 8 and Flamingo film festival. Dillon began her career in front of the camera as a model, actress, and dancer. She has appeared in multiple telenovelas on Univision, Nickelodeon, and music videos. These experiences fed her curiosity to work in photography, film, and television. Now her career is focused on directing, designing, and creating images that tell a story. Dillon’s influences range from Afro Caribbean culture, Latin music, nature, and contemporary art.
Naja Hardmon was born in Detroit, MI. Her journey can be characterized by her movement through various cities throughout her childhood, each move evolving her definition of home—found not just in places, but in people. Through her camera, Hardmon articulates this fluid notion of home by crafting visual narratives that reflect a sense of awe for individuals belonging within a community.
Her photography, which centers on Black portraiture, seeks to honor and preserve the multifaceted dimensions of obtaining confidence amongst Black life. Each frame is a testament to her belief that the ordinary is inherently extraordinary when viewed through the lens of purpose, heritage and identity.
Her work is a celebration of Black identity, infusing everyday moments with a sense of grandeur and significance. Currently, Hardmon channels her passion for art and her commitment to community as a curator in Delray Beach, Florida. Her curatorial work is an extension of her artistic vision, fostering a vibrant arts community where new talents can thrive and contribute to the ongoing narrative of celebrating cultural expression.
About Tayina Deravile
Tayina Deravile is a cultural practitioner, arts professional, and curator. She holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and a Master’s degree in
Mental Health Counseling at Nova Southeastern University. While attending graduate school,
she began her career in arts administration in Fort Lauderdale. She is currently the Gallery
Manager at Girls’ Club, the only private collection in the world that primarily exhibits
contemporary art by women, and the Director of Community Engagement at FATVillage Arts
District, a nonprofit that strives to generate an inclusive art community located in the FATVillage
Arts District.