Creator Labs artists take on the Pixel 6

“As humans we are constantly trying to understand ourselves … this is a universal experience, both socially and culturally. I find myself currently in a state of asking questions relating to my own sense of self.” This was what photographer MaryV was thinking while she was working on her latest project with Creator Labs.

Following the launch of Google Pixel 6 Pro in October, MaryV and 12 other lens-based artists were tasked with exploring the idea of “For All You Are,” a prompt referencing why we started the Creator Labs program: We want to give artists the tools to tell their own stories, in their own unique voices.

This year, Creator Labs artists were also able to use Real Tone on Google Pixel 6, a multi-year mission to make best-in-class smartphone cameras that photograph skin more equitably. As part of this initiative, the Pixel team made a suite of improvements and changes across how Pixel’s camera and supporting imagery products work to highlight the nuances of different skin tones beautifully and authentically.

One theme we saw multiple artists focus on was “ancestry,” both from the perspective of honoring traditions and redefining what constitutes family. Anthony Prince Leslie reimagined African Folklore with his piece “Spyda,” which in his words, showcases “the resilience of the Black diaspora and the importance of storytelling as a method of preserving history.” Texas Isaiah paid homage to his parents' home in New York City. As the first-generation of his family born in the U.S., he never spent time with his extended family. So as a child, his home was filled with native Canadian and South American ​​photographs, souvenirs and other materials his family had collected over more than 30 years.

Myles Loftin challenged the “traditional” family structures with his piece by documenting and honoring his chosen family in New York City. This is an extension of a larger body of work called “In The Life” which centers on Black Queer life.

While each artists’ work is unique, they all invite us to reflect and be vulnerable.

Other Creator Labs artists include Mayan Toledano, Pegah Farahmand, Kennedi Carter, Aidan Cullen, Andre Wagner, Tim Kellner, Natalia Mantini, Josh Goldenberg (glassface) and June Canedo. You can see examples of their work and more from the artists above on the Pixel Instagram page.