AT THE HELM: JAMES ROBERTSON
A dynamic Creative Director driven by bold ideas, strategic thinking, and the power of storytelling, he is passionate about building brands and creating meaningful experiences. He blends creativity with purpose to develop work that inspires, connects, and leaves a lasting impact.
His practice exists at the intersection of publishing, art, and community engagement, creating projects that preserve culture, amplify diverse voices, and encourage critical thinking. Through books, exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative experiences, he transforms stories into opportunities for learning, dialogue, and creative expression. Guided by the belief that art is a catalyst for connection, inviting people to reflect on identity, history, and the world around them while empowering communities to shape the future through creativity.
The projects below reflect a creative philosophy grounded in participation, cultural preservation, education, and shared experience. Art is more than something to observe. It is a tool for learning, dialogue, and discovery. By creating spaces where people can tell their stories, develop their talents, question ideas, and engage with different perspectives, we build stronger communities and inspire a more thoughtful, inclusive, and creative future.
RAS is a collectible coffee table book that documents the global influence of Rastafarian culture through a vibrant collection of photography, essays, and artistic contributions. Reflecting on the movement’s deep roots in philosophy, music, art, and community, the book captures the spirit and legacy of a culture that has resonated far beyond its origins. Featuring voices and imagery from iconic figures such as Mortimo Planno, Peter Tosh, Rita Marley, Billy Wilmot, and many others, RAS offers a powerful visual and narrative journey. It celebrates the enduring impact of Rastafari as a creative and spiritual force, inspiring generations around the world.
This book is a flipbook made entirely from photographs taken inside a Photo Booth that served as the secret entrance to Community 54, a legendary creative space in the Lower East Side. For one unforgettable year, the booth captured the faces, moods, and energy of a cultural crossroads where artists, musicians, designers, and visionaries came together. Echoing the days when Warhol, Dali, and Woody Allen brushed shoulders with Madonna, Calvin Klein, and Run-DMC, Community 54 was more than a location—it was a moment, a movement, and a memory.
If you know, you know.
This coffee table book was created as a tangible fundraising piece to support the ongoing work and community of the agency it represents. Through a collection of interviews, personal stories, and content developed in workshops, the book documents the agency’s history and the voices of its members. Each contribution reflects the strength, diversity, and shared experiences within the community. Developed through a crowd-sourced process, this project stands as a meaningful way to raise support, build awareness, and preserve the legacy of the agency through authentic storytelling and collective engagement.
Blank Boy Canvas is a traveling arts initiative that sparks creativity and connection around the world. More than an exhibition, it is an interactive workshop experience open to the public, where youth come together to create, collaborate, and express themselves through art.
Each stop becomes a canvas of its own, filled with diverse voices, bold ideas, and a shared sense of purpose. Through hands-on creativity and meaningful community engagement, Blank Boy Canvas empowers the next generation of artists to develop their skills, share their stories, and leave a lasting mark together.
Blank Boy Canvas reimagines Danny Yung’s iconic character “TTXS,” originally a comic caricature sketched in 1950s China, as a minimalistic 3D figure designed for artistic and conceptual exploration.
The blank figure serves as a universal canvas for creativity, inviting participants to explore new ideas, styles, and techniques. Through hands-on workshops, artists and youth are encouraged to think critically, experiment freely, and collaborate with one another. Each creation begins with the same blank form but evolves into a unique expression of individual perspective and imagination.
By transforming a simple figure into countless original works, Blank Boy Canvas fosters creative growth, meaningful collaboration, and the confidence to explore new artistic possibilities.
LIT Studios was more than a physical space; it was a living canvas without boundaries. An evolving environment where Toronto artists came together to experiment, collaborate, and let the walls tell their stories. Every surface became an opportunity for expression, shaped by layers of personal narratives, bold styles, quiet moments, and vibrant energy.
Born from a community engagement initiative, the project was designed not only to invite participation but to inspire meaningful connection. It sparked dialogue, encouraged collaboration, and helped establish the foundation for an artist incubation space rooted in accessibility, experimentation, and growth. What emerged was more than a collection of artworks. It was an immersive creative experience, a moment in time where imagination had no limits and every contribution became part of the story.
The Girl Connected Mentorship Program (GCMP) empowers emerging women professionals through mentorship, industry education, and hands-on experiences designed to build sustainable careers in the creative industries. Through expert guidance, workshops, and real-world opportunities, GCMP connects participants with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to succeed in areas such as music, marketing, artist management, and creative direction.
As part of this initiative, we facilitated and hosted an immersive songwriting camp held in our studio space, giving participants the opportunity to experience the creative process in a focused and intimate environment. Through mentor guided sessions participants gained practical insight into collaborative creation, recording, and the broader creative ecosystem. Beyond the technical experience, the workshop fostered meaningful connections, encouraging participants to build relationships, share perspectives, and form bonds through a shared creative journey.
