Pia Johnson: On performing identity
In this episode, we talk with Pia Johnson on performing identity. She explores how her formal education in other artforms, like textiles, is present in her photographic practice. She discusses how photographing herself can be freeing, and she also acknowledges the challenges that come with it. She ends by discussing the ethical dilemmas and requisite care that come with working with family archives, both hers and beyond.
What does photography ethics mean to Pia?
“The crux of it is respect and care. And I think we’ve covered those things, but at the same time there’s a responsibility and a consciousness that we have to have as photographers that goes beyond us in the moment, that we’re consciously thinking about... Part of me feels like, this should just be so part of every photographers’ practice. We should just be conscious and kind and responsible. And I know that sounds a bit naive or idealistic, but actually it’s a really powerful tool and it is an important one, especially in the age that we live in where images are everywhere. How can we make sure that we put the best images forward that have integrity and have respect and have care? And are conscious of the legacy they will leave? And the future’s history. That’s what we’re thinking about and making images for. They’re not just sitting in a drawer or on a hard drive. They’re out in the world and we need to be responsible for that.” (40:06)
Pia Johnson is a photographer and visual artist, whose practice emerged out of a concern with issues of cultural identity and difference, stemming from her mixed background of Chinese and Italian-Australian descent. These themes underpin her interest in memory, cultural spaces, and performance – where she often features within her works – to investigate notions of transcultural identity, belonging, and otherness through photography, moving image, and installation. Her work has been exhibited across Australia and internationally; and is collected in private and public collections including the National Gallery of Victoria. Pia has been a finalist in several photography awards, and in 2023 Pia received the inaugural State Library of Victoria Kerri Hall Fellowship for Performing Arts and was the Artist in Residence at Immigration Museum, where she has a solo exhibition Re-Orient currently showing. Pia lives and works on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, with her husband and daughter. She acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional owners of the land - which always will be Aboriginal land.
You can see her work at https://www.piajohnson.com