At PICA we recognise that we are situated within the unceded lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay our respects and offer our gratitude to Elders past and present, and to those emerging leaders in the community. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the importance of their care and continued connection to culture, community and Country.

Always was, always will be.

Galleries are closed today. Our exhibitions are always free.

Shaun Johnston

Studio Booster Program: The Scramble

Studio Booster Program: The Scramble

In 2025, Performing Lines WA have collaborated with PICA to present the Studio Booster Program, which provides time, space and funds for four artists or groups to ‘boost’ a creative idea or project.  

The Scramble examines the frictions found in competitive wrestling to explore the codes of touch in male friendships, questioning sociocultural norms and their contradictions. During this residency, Shaun Johnston will work with collaborators to develop new choreographies, improvisational scores and games, supporting a thorough investigation into the complexities and contradictions of male friendships today.  

About the artist

Shaun Johnston is a Perth/Boorloo-based actor, dancer, teaching artist and creator with a practice incorporating acting, physical theatre, contemporary dance and martial arts. He recently starred in the 10-year anniversary of FAG/STAG by The Last Great Hunt. In 2024, he danced in Coalescing Towards (Perth Festival) and performed in PAWA award-nominated FAKE (ISPA Congress). At The Blue Room Theatre, Shaun performed in the award-winning productions of Conception (2023) and My Shout (2021). He was a LINK Dance Company member in 2022, and has worked with Spare Parts Puppet Theatre since 2020, performing in regional tours of Hare Brain (2020) and Blueback (2023).

Supporters

The Studio Boosters have been made possible through partnership between the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and Performing Lines WA as part of the 2025 Kolyang Program of Industry Development Initiatives, supported by the Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries.