Joanne Chung

What program did you graduate from and when? 

I graduated in 2016 with a major in Photography and a minor in On-Screen Media. 

What is your current title or role? 

I’m a Photo Archivist and Photographer. 

Why did you choose to attend OCAD U? 

I chose OCAD U for its interdisciplinarity, community, and location. 

Please briefly describe your current job/practice. 

I’m currently working at the Toronto Reference Library, digitizing and creating records of historical photographs, books, and ephemera from Special Collections for the digital archive. Another recent project that I finished was with OCAD U’s Faculty of Art, where our team managed and curated the Chandaria collection of contemporary arts from India. As for my photographic practice, I work with portraiture and street photography mainly. 

How did you first get started in your career? 

I was first introduced to archival work at Stephen Bulger Gallery through a collections internship. Thereafter, I gained work experience in database management and administration at an art showroom/gallery.

What were your policies regarding internships, volunteering, and paid work? 

I didn’t really have strict policies in the beginning. A lot of the time, I only thought about how internships/paid work would help me grow personally and professionally. And although that is super important, I had to learn for myself that many other things need to be balanced - from growth, pay, work culture, to personal fulfillment. As for volunteering, I tried to get involved in organizations that I feel passionate about. 

What do you enjoy about your work? What is the most challenging aspect of your work? 

It's always exciting to dig through archives and discover its hidden gems and, from there, research its context and history, which heightens the appreciation of said objects. The most difficult aspect has been and is the never-ending hustle of scoping out projects. 

What skills or relationships developed at OCAD U helped you participate in your field? Is there anything you would have done differently? 

Skills of art-handling, curation, conceptualization, and working with analog and historical photography have been extremely useful in all my roles, but what’s most valuable is how OCAD U has helped widen my perspective. If I could have done one thing differently, I wish I understood the value of liberal studies courses back then. I definitely powered through many just to get them off my plate and took those history/theory courses for granted. 

What are the key responsibilities you maintain for your practice?

Staying curious and being willing to learn. Also, being organized. 

What are your personal and professional goals for the coming years?

I hope to pursue graduate studies somewhere down the road.