Asa Johannesson is both a photographer and writer, her first solo exhibition ‘The Queering of Photography’ will be held in Scotland from 1 May – 27 June this year, with a special preview on 30 April. Her body of work is a culmination of two decades worth of images which explores the complicated relationship between queer identity and photographic representation.
Johannesson previously studied at the Royal College of Art in London and has exhibited her work internationally. Her most recent book, ‘Queer Methodology for Photography’ discusses new approaches to writing, making and thinking about queer photography.
The Swedish born photographer’s project spans from 2015 – 2025, in part collaboration with the London LGBTQ+ community in studio locations and at an art residency at the British School in Rome. Her work focuses on the detailed study of pose, gaze, and composition. Johannesson used a large format plate camera within a studio environment, reminiscent of classical studio portraiture.
Her range of subjects include human figures, (whom are her friends and acquaintances), Roman statues, and various studio props. Johannesson’s visual language approach juggles between experimental and formal expressions, testing how the term ‘queer’ can be utilised as both a playful and critical approach to photographic representation.
The photographer also experiments with the use of Polaroids and Polaroid emulsion sculptures. These methods offer yet another unique perspective into Johannesson’s mind and vision within her approach to this project and complex topic. A couple of key components which are represented in certain images are intimacy, and the artists fascination with Roman statues. This is referring to the image ‘Figural, Figurative (drapery),’ which is an intricately composed black and white shot of a Roman statue partly covered by a drape, with its arms behind its slightly arched back.
The photographer also implements her Roman statue interest with her human subjects, who playfully use their arms, hands, and body position to that reminiscent of one. These images all feature in her work titled, ‘Looking Out, Looking In.’
This ambitious project of Johannesson’s has evolved through a series of a number of works. Including previously mentioned ‘Looking Out, Looking In’, ‘Frame,’ ‘Figural,’ ‘Figurative,’ ‘Turn,’ and ‘Skin.’ These works portray performative and striking portraits with reflections on how ‘queer’ can express itself within a photographic production.
‘The Queering of Photography by Asa Johannesson’ will run at Stills: Centre for Photography in Edinburgh until 27 June. Entry is free.
Related Reading:
- These tender portraits of the Queer community in 60s and 70s New York deserve your attention today [NSFW]
- Seen In Sport: giving queer sportspeople a voice through photography
- The exciting story of how drag star Bimini Bon-Boulash ended up on the cover of the Portrait of Britain book
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