About the event
TRIBAL
Photography Exhibition > Artist Pia Jessen
Head On Photo Festival > Open Program
The exhibition Tribal, officially selected as part of Sydney’s Head On Photo Festival Open Program, offers audiences an opportunity to experience a body of work that has gained national recognition.
Tribal reflects Pia’s long-standing fascination with the tribal people of south and southwestern Ethiopia, whose traditions and identities have been preserved for thousands of years. The exhibition documents the rich cultural practices of these communities, including body painting with white ash, chalk, and red ochre
clay; adornments made from beads, feathers, shells, and other prized objects; and elaborate headpieces crafted with creativity and symbolism.
Scarification, piercings, and distinctive lip plates, voluntarily worn with pride by women, are presented not as curiosities but as expressions of beauty, strength, and cultural identity. “With Tribal, I wanted to honour the strength and beauty of cultural traditions that continue to shape identity today. These images are about respect, resilience, and the stories that live within communities,” said Pia Jessen.
While lip plates are often misunderstood by outsiders, within the Suri and Mursi tribes they are a symbol of beauty, social status, and commitment to culture. Traditionally worn during weddings, dances, and ceremonial gatherings, they remain a powerful marker of identity.
Being selected for the 2025 Head On Festival Open Program places Tribal among a curated group of exhibitions recognised for their artistic and cultural significance.
Thursday 9:30 am–4:30 pm
Friday 9:30 am–4:30 pm
Saturday 9:30 am–4:30 pm
Sunday 9:30 am–4:30 pm
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed