Interview with Jamie James

Introducing Jamie James

Jamie James (they/them) is a queer documentary photographer living and making on stolen lands, whose practice explores identity and belonging in relationship with queer performance artists, LGBTQIA+ communities, First Peoples and South Sea Islander contemporary culture. At Liveworks, they will present Breathing Archive.

Breathing Archive “A photographically queer conversation” chronicles Sydney’s queer and kink performance cultures of the 1990s and early 2000s. Made on Gadigal land, by photographer Jamie James, with dramaturge/performer Victoria Spence and creative team, Breathing Archive combines storytelling, projections, performance and community voice in a no-holes-barred queer experience.

Drawing on the early years of James’ rich and vibrant longitudinal documentation, Breathing Archive plumbs the depths of collective memory; queer lineage and celebrates the ways we access and understand our shared histories.

"Historically, performance has been the dynamic subject of my longitudinal photographic practice, and a great teacher of storytelling, politics, imagination, movement, detail, anticipation, light and timing."
- Jamie James

What can audiences expect from your performance?

Expect an edgy, adult only invitation into the photographic pulse of my 20s, fuelled by thirsty curiosity and a beat up second-hand film camera. You'll step inside porn shoots, fetish clubs, friendships and private dungeons, and into Sydney's queer performance histories, reflections and connections during the 90s. Expect grief, loss and pure pervy joy with the energy of Victoria Spence on stage beside me, and as curator Daniel Mudie Cunningham describes, "Full Throttle Bent Magic."

What is the role of performance in your life?

Historically, performance has been the dynamic subject of my longitudinal photographic practice, and a great teacher of storytelling, politics, imagination, movement, detail, anticipation, light and timing.

And then I decide to challenge myself and 'perform' my archive! So, I guess its role to me now is that of a new love affair...overwhelming, terrifying and wondrous.

What are you most looking forward to at Liveworks?

I’m so looking forward to Liveworks audiences experiencing all the collaborative skills of the incredible Breathing Archive team woven together in one immersive hour. As a solo photographer it’s an enormous gift to have such a high calibre of creative talent by my side to make with.

It’s a rich programme and I am keen to dance, chop wood, laugh, cry, play games and meet artists from all over the region.