Biography

Jean-Charles (J.C.) Innocent is a Haitian-American visual artist, born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. Working under the pseudonym INSOMNIA, he creates multimedia artworks that explore the political instability in Haiti, through themes of Afrofuturism. His practice relies on symbolism from Rapper, Hip-Hop, and R&B culture—to tell layered stories and envision better futures.

J.C. holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Design and Arts Management from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. His artistic journey began at Boston Collegiate Charter School, where he developed his craft through AP Art courses and performance in annual musicals. Alongside his creative work. He has a strong background in leadership and social justice, having collaborated with Boston-based youth organizations such as Teen Empowerment (T.E.) and Young Man with A Plan (Y.M.W.A.P.) to uplift and empower young people of color. He continued his leadership as a Resident Advisor, Chapter Head of the Men of Color, and President of the Black Student Union at MCLA. Beyond higher education, he continues serving as a board member for the Berkshire Black Economic Council.

His work has been exhibited at MCLA’s Pittsfield Campus Gallery, Gallery 51, has received recognition, including the Massachusetts Internship Incentive Grant, an internship at Gallery 51 under the 2022 Benedetti Teaching Artist-in-Residence Wang Chen, the Undergraduate Research Conference Grant, and the Berkshire Art Association Fellowship and the MOSAIC Artist Immersion Residency. Producing commissioned projects—ranging from logos and album covers to portraits—and uses photography as a tool to authentically study and represent people of color.