The Art of Persona

The 'The Art of Persona' episode from 'The Art Of ...' podcast delves into the intricate concept of persona, particularly in the realm of art and performance. The episode begins with reflections on Andy Warhol's enigmatic public persona, highlighting how his deliberately misleading interactions with the press added to his mystique. Warhol's friend, Bob Colacello, discusses Warhol's intentional cultivation of mystery to keep the press intrigued. The host, Sandra Jean Pierre, a producer and researcher, introduces the topic by sharing her own fascination with persona, prompted by observing people's public performances of their identities in everyday life.

The episode then transitions to interviews with various artists who use persona as a tool in their work. Lewis Jay Burton, a London-based DJ, performer, and activist, discusses the historical context of drag and its essence of performativity, which can be as subtle as dressing for a job interview or as overt as wearing an evening gown. Drag, according to Burton, is a means of presenting a version of oneself that society expects to see. The conversation then moves to Hoser Joe and Edel, who unpacks different versions of herself through her interdisciplinary art practice. She uses performance to understand and challenge the way black and British identities are constructed in the media.

The podcast also explores the UK music scene through the lens of personas, with insights from the creators of Keratins, who discuss the emulation of personas by younger rappers and the authenticity of their experiences. They touch on the implications of wearing a mask, both literally and metaphorically, and how it allows artists to adopt different identities. The episode concludes with Holly Bisley Garrigan, a performance maker, who shares her personal journey of reconciling with her working-class background through her show 'Opal Fruits,' which tells stories of women from her South London estate.

Each artist's narrative underscores the therapeutic and self-discovery aspects of exploring and playing with personas. They reveal how personas can serve as a mask for protection, a mode of survival, or a path to understanding oneself better. The episode weaves these individual stories into a broader conversation about the role of persona in art and life.