Ianna Book is a courageous and poetic voice in contemporary photography, whose art tenderly weaves together the threads of identity, transformation, and urban life. Born in the small town of Lévis, Québec, she grew up in humble circumstances, quietly carrying a profound inner journey that would eventually unfold through her creative spirit. From a young age, Ianna felt a delicate stir of femininity within her, a secret melody that she expressed with both hesitation and fierce determination. Her artistic journey evolved from humble beginnings, creating paintings and sculptures from found street materials, to embracing photography as her truest medium of self-expression.
Through her groundbreaking photographic series Trans Avenue (2011–2013), Ianna bravely documented her gender transition with raw vulnerability and artistic grace, placing her transformed body into the heart of bustling cities like Montréal and New York. These intimate self-portraits are not only a visual diary of change but a powerful declaration of presence and self-love in public space. Ianna’s work transcends the personal, it is a celebration of courage, an act of reclaiming space, and an invitation to witness the beauty of transformation in all its complexity. With a gentle yet unyielding voice, she invites us to reconsider our notions of identity, art, and belonging. As an artist and advocate, Ianna embodies resilience and tenderness, inspiring others to embrace their truth with compassion and strength. In the following interview, Ianna generously shares her journey, creative process, and heartfelt reflections on art, identity, and the courage to live authentically.
Monika: Hello Ianna! It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you and have the opportunity to talk about your beautiful and inspiring work.
Ianna: Hi Monika! Thank you for having me. I’m really happy to be here and excited to share my story with you and your readers.
|
| Courtesy of Ianna Book. |
Ianna: Of course! I was born in Lévis, a small town in Québec, Canada. My parents divorced early, and I lived with my brother and my single mom in a difficult economic situation. From a young age, I always felt perturbed and asked myself many questions. Puberty was when I first felt a need to express my femininity. I isolated myself to live out that reality because I was scared.
At the beginning of adulthood, I moved to Montréal to study visual arts. After many, many years of denial and hesitation, I started, four years ago, to move forward with the process of my transition and gender adjustment (mtf). It was very difficult at first but necessary. In 2013, I published Trans Avenue, a collection of photographs tracing part of this period of change. This journey profoundly shaped not only my art but also my understanding of myself and the world around me.
Monika: Early in your creative journey, you worked with paintings and sculptures. What inspired you to shift your focus toward photography?
Ianna: Yes, I created many paintings at one time. Because I was poor, I used found materials from the garbage on the street. At one point, I realized that all this material was cumbersome and that I would need some sort of workspace to create and store all these projects. I woke up one day and threw everything out. My artistic thinking evolved differently from then on. My studies became oriented towards photography, video, and performance. This shift opened new possibilities for expressing my ideas more freely and intimately.
Monika: What motivated you to document your transition through such intimate photography, and what inspired you to share these personal moments publicly?
Ianna: I’m an artist. Expression, to me, is a necessity. My new trans reality is a source of inspiration. Therefore, it seemed important to document my transition. It’s an uncommon phenomenon that I wanted to share. To do that, I used the language I was most comfortable with: visual arts. I then experimented with different angles. I worked with both public and intimate spaces in order to tame them, to appropriate them. Sharing this process allowed me to reclaim my narrative and invite others into a deeper understanding.
Monika: You chose public urban spaces in Montréal and New York, streets, alleys, rooftops, subway stations, where you often posed nude. How did passersby react to your presence during these photo sessions?
Ianna: It seemed important to present the bodily changes caused by my sexual transition. Revealing my naked body was interesting in that context. It was quite a challenge in urban settings, and I was frequently nervous. However, the pictures were always taken in out-of-the-way, isolated places without anyone else there. I always managed to do it safely. These moments of vulnerability in public spaces were crucial in confronting my fears and reclaiming my body.
Ianna: Yes, I created many paintings at one time. Because I was poor, I used found materials from the garbage on the street. At one point, I realized that all this material was cumbersome and that I would need some sort of workspace to create and store all these projects. I woke up one day and threw everything out. My artistic thinking evolved differently from then on. My studies became oriented towards photography, video, and performance. This shift opened new possibilities for expressing my ideas more freely and intimately.
Monika: What motivated you to document your transition through such intimate photography, and what inspired you to share these personal moments publicly?
Ianna: I’m an artist. Expression, to me, is a necessity. My new trans reality is a source of inspiration. Therefore, it seemed important to document my transition. It’s an uncommon phenomenon that I wanted to share. To do that, I used the language I was most comfortable with: visual arts. I then experimented with different angles. I worked with both public and intimate spaces in order to tame them, to appropriate them. Sharing this process allowed me to reclaim my narrative and invite others into a deeper understanding.
Monika: You chose public urban spaces in Montréal and New York, streets, alleys, rooftops, subway stations, where you often posed nude. How did passersby react to your presence during these photo sessions?
Ianna: It seemed important to present the bodily changes caused by my sexual transition. Revealing my naked body was interesting in that context. It was quite a challenge in urban settings, and I was frequently nervous. However, the pictures were always taken in out-of-the-way, isolated places without anyone else there. I always managed to do it safely. These moments of vulnerability in public spaces were crucial in confronting my fears and reclaiming my body.
|
| Courtesy of Ianna Book. |
Monika: What impact were you hoping to create by juxtaposing your physical transformation with the stark, urban environments of Montréal and New York?
Ianna: Trans Avenue represents a progression of images depicting an atypical body integrating the public space. I wanted to insert my genuine difference into concrete spaces. In the early stages of my transition, I took pictures on a plain white backdrop. It wasn’t the best approach for me. Psychologically, working in urban spaces was more helpful because it increased my self-confidence. I took the liberty of inscribing my unusual self in the public space that, by definition, belongs to everybody. That way, I overcame my fear and solitude to take my place in society. The project was simultaneously both artistic and therapeutic. This dialogue between body and environment became a powerful symbol of my own emancipation.
Monika: Your transformation, from a flat-chested, straight-hipped figure to one of curvy femininity, almost feels like a work of art in itself. How do you see the relationship between your body changes and artistic expression?
Ianna: Even if body modifications are unusual, they aren’t necessarily artistic in themselves. The context in art is super important; we need to analyze Trans Avenue in its entirety. The project is an aesthetic research combining transsexuality and the urban context, the body and the city as spaces of transformation and emancipation. In addition, the choice of self-publishing, following the zine tradition of do-it-yourself (DIY), is an integral part of my artistic approach. The publication was carried out without any demands or expectations and with a certain amount of risk taken. It was made by necessity, in response to an urgent need for self-expression. This independence allowed me to present my truth without compromise.
Ianna: Trans Avenue represents a progression of images depicting an atypical body integrating the public space. I wanted to insert my genuine difference into concrete spaces. In the early stages of my transition, I took pictures on a plain white backdrop. It wasn’t the best approach for me. Psychologically, working in urban spaces was more helpful because it increased my self-confidence. I took the liberty of inscribing my unusual self in the public space that, by definition, belongs to everybody. That way, I overcame my fear and solitude to take my place in society. The project was simultaneously both artistic and therapeutic. This dialogue between body and environment became a powerful symbol of my own emancipation.
Monika: Your transformation, from a flat-chested, straight-hipped figure to one of curvy femininity, almost feels like a work of art in itself. How do you see the relationship between your body changes and artistic expression?
Ianna: Even if body modifications are unusual, they aren’t necessarily artistic in themselves. The context in art is super important; we need to analyze Trans Avenue in its entirety. The project is an aesthetic research combining transsexuality and the urban context, the body and the city as spaces of transformation and emancipation. In addition, the choice of self-publishing, following the zine tradition of do-it-yourself (DIY), is an integral part of my artistic approach. The publication was carried out without any demands or expectations and with a certain amount of risk taken. It was made by necessity, in response to an urgent need for self-expression. This independence allowed me to present my truth without compromise.
|
| Courtesy of Ianna Book. |
Monika: Do you think there is such a thing as “transgender art”? What does it mean to you to be a transgender artist?
Ianna: I approve of and encourage trans-cultural initiatives. Art is accessible to all, so it is for trans people. However, I don’t believe we can affirm, in a uniform manner, that trans art exists. It’s more varied than we believe. The diversity within transgender experiences naturally reflects in the wide range of artistic expressions.
Monika: How big is the community of transgender artists in Canada?
Ianna: That’s a difficult question. There’s a young new generation that seems to increasingly question the gender binary. I think that in the coming years, we’ll witness some really interesting projects exploring the notion of identity. The queer movement is definitely one to watch closely. This emerging wave of artists is bringing fresh perspectives that challenge traditional boundaries.
Monika: During your transition, were there any transgender role models or figures who inspired or guided you?
Ianna: I have a few influences that aren’t specifically from a trans viewpoint. Nevertheless, their work and journeys have deeply shaped my own perspective and artistic expression.
Monika: What was the most challenging part of coming out as transgender for you?
Ianna: I was afraid of being isolated and rejected. Fortunately, everything turned out fine, I’m very lucky. But I know that for some trans people, life can be incredibly difficult. I really hope things get better; this issue is very close to my heart. It’s important to raise awareness and support each other through these struggles.
Ianna: I approve of and encourage trans-cultural initiatives. Art is accessible to all, so it is for trans people. However, I don’t believe we can affirm, in a uniform manner, that trans art exists. It’s more varied than we believe. The diversity within transgender experiences naturally reflects in the wide range of artistic expressions.
Monika: How big is the community of transgender artists in Canada?
Ianna: That’s a difficult question. There’s a young new generation that seems to increasingly question the gender binary. I think that in the coming years, we’ll witness some really interesting projects exploring the notion of identity. The queer movement is definitely one to watch closely. This emerging wave of artists is bringing fresh perspectives that challenge traditional boundaries.
Monika: During your transition, were there any transgender role models or figures who inspired or guided you?
Ianna: I have a few influences that aren’t specifically from a trans viewpoint. Nevertheless, their work and journeys have deeply shaped my own perspective and artistic expression.
Monika: What was the most challenging part of coming out as transgender for you?
Ianna: I was afraid of being isolated and rejected. Fortunately, everything turned out fine, I’m very lucky. But I know that for some trans people, life can be incredibly difficult. I really hope things get better; this issue is very close to my heart. It’s important to raise awareness and support each other through these struggles.
|
| Courtesy of Ianna Book. |
Monika: How do you view the current situation of transgender women within Canadian society today?
Ianna: It’s important to secure additional rights. For trans people to be truly protected, there’s still a long way to go. People are mostly misinformed about trans issues and often react defensively. Racism and homophobia remain very present in Canada. Raising awareness about differences is vital and ongoing because so many phobias are simply irrational. It’s also difficult for trans persons to point out instances of transphobia, as there are often subtle, dubious attitudes that are hard to identify. These micro-aggressions are real psychologically violent behaviors that are next to impossible to prove.
In short, I wish for more openness. The media has a large role to play, especially in shaping public understanding and acceptance. Continuing education and visibility are essential to fostering change.
Monika: Do you think transgender rights represent the next frontier in the ongoing struggle for human rights?
Ianna: That’s an interesting question. I believe there are new challenges to take up. The evolving understanding of gender identity calls for expanded protections and recognition within our societies.
All the photos: courtesy of Ianna Book.
Monika: Do you think transgender rights represent the next frontier in the ongoing struggle for human rights?
Ianna: That’s an interesting question. I believe there are new challenges to take up. The evolving understanding of gender identity calls for expanded protections and recognition within our societies.
|
| Courtesy of Ianna Book. |
Monika: Are you involved in political activism or advocacy? Do you participate in any lobbying efforts, and how much impact do you think transgender women can have in the political arena?
Ianna: By default, being trans carries political repercussions. Trans existence challenges the established order because it questions the sacrosanct union of man and woman. Therefore, I believe the most important political act for trans people is simply to assert their identity. In addition, various groups and trans associations play a significant role in driving change. Collective visibility and advocacy can truly influence policy and public perception.
Monika: How important is love in your life, and what role has it played in your personal journey?
Ianna: Love is the key to unlocking beautiful accomplishments in life. Nothing is more important than love, and all our human energies should be directed toward it, even when it feels difficult at times. It has been a guiding force that helps me stay grounded and hopeful through challenges.
Monika: How do you relate to fashion? What kinds of outfits do you prefer, and are there any particular designers, colors, or trends that inspire you?
Ianna: Sure, I like fashion, but I focus on personal style rather than following trends like sheep. I feel quite ambivalent toward the mainstream fashion industry. I always manage to stay somewhat on the margins. Fashion, for me, is a form of self-expression and a way to assert my individuality.
Monika: Many transgender women share their journeys through memoirs. Have you ever considered writing a book about your own experience?
Ianna: I know many trans people who write, and that’s great, but it’s not my strongest skill. I have a better understanding of visual creation and a facility with non-verbal language. For me, expressing myself through images feels more natural and powerful.
|
| Courtesy of Ianna Book. |
Monika: Are you currently working on any new artistic projects? Could you share a bit about what you’re exploring now?
Ianna: Yes, I’m working on two new photo essays. One project focuses on portraits of trans people in relation to different spaces, and the other is a series of self-portraits exploring the notion of risk. These works continue my interest in how identity interacts with environment and vulnerability.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender girls who dream of becoming artists but might feel unsure or intimidated?
Ianna: I don’t think art is something to only dream about as if it were inaccessible or reserved for the exceptional and privileged. Art is a necessity and belongs to no one, it simply must be done. My advice is to just go for it and not let yourself be intimidated by doubts or external opinions. Creating art is also a powerful way to discover and affirm your own identity.
Monika: Ianna, thank you for the interview!
Ianna: Thank you! It was a real pleasure. I must congratulate you, Monika. It’s great to interview all these trans people worldwide, I hope you continue.
© Ianna Book
All the photos: courtesy of Ianna Book.
© 2014 - Monika Kowalska
No comments:
Post a Comment