This article was originally published on Neocha and is republished with permission.
Liรบ Zวqiฤn ๅๅญๅโs simple, elegant, slightly surreal photographs are no ordinary self-portraits. They show more of her long limbs than of her face, and they often center on fruits, mirrors, or flowers. Yet she remains the subject, not only in a physical but also in an emotional sense: Her photographs began as a way to explore herself and cope with loneliness in the wake of a breakup.
Out of all the creative outlets that she could have pursued, Liu decided on photography because she found that it was the most therapeutic. Soul-searching came in the click of a shutter. Photography also served as a visual diary, where different moments of her appearance are recorded in pictures.
โWhat I love most about photography is that it can be a very quiet and profound companion for me,โ she says. โIt helps me not just to record different moments, but also to convey my inner voice. In the process of photography, I can find answers to many internal questions.โ
Liuโs series of portraits may be serene, but they are far from dull. โI hope to give the audience a small world thatโs calm but not flat,โ she says about her works. Though each portrait has a demure and delicate quality, she still aims to subtly channel womenโs inner strength. At times Liu finds herself plagued by restlessness and bouts of insecurity. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, though, she takes control of these feelings, composing photographs whose meticulous balance seems to convey an emotional state.
Forget about avant-garde theatrics and elaborate props โ Liu uses simple, everyday objects. Round mirrors, fruits and flowers, even eggs serve as her co-stars in the portraits. They help shape the two main themes of her works. First, a balance between human beings and nature. Liu believes that humans are part of the natural world, as we live in the same space and breathe the same air. โI try to find a state of harmony between humans and nature in my works, one that is full of peace and emotion.โ
The second theme centers on perspective. As we get overly familiar with the simple objects we use every day, we no longer really see them in a unique light. Liu encourages the viewer to look at familiar things from different angles by changing the appearance of her props, such as using sliced lemons instead of the whole fruit. โThis is not only about things,โ she clarifies, pointing to a larger meaning. โItโs also about understanding others and our hearts.โ
Minimalism is one of the most popular styles of photography on Instagram, perhaps because viewers seek peace in an otherwise chaotic world. Almost without meaning to, Liu has beautifully harnessed this aesthetic in her photos. โI do not have a very clear expectation of style. Everything is completely based on feelings and is always in the state of semi-fumbling, semi-learning. But I want to keep it minimalist. Minimalism is a reminder for me to stay pure inside and try not to be too distracted by the noise.โ
She discovered her style through constant arrangement and experimentation while shooting and processing her photos. She aims to find the combination that makes her feel most comfortable and โquiet.โ Avoiding repetition, or trying to maintain her style while still pushing boundaries, sometimes proves to be a challenge, but she presses on. โI want to think more and observe more to get more inspiration,โ she says.
Speaking of inspiration, Liu finds her muse in her own growth. โSometimes I look at my earlier pictures on Instagram. The pictures were obviously not mature, but I can see my growth process over time. So I wonder how far Iโll go in photography, and whether this curiosity about the unknown and the visible will inspire me to become a photographer.โ
Liuโs success is also a testimonial to the power of social media. Despite taking photos for only two years, and having held only two public exhibitions, she reaches an international audience, with close to 100,000 followers.
โI had never really thought about this before, but I really appreciate the viewers liking my work. All I can do now is try to respond to all the people who have left comments and move on to shoot more works. I have no future plans at the moment โ Iโll let things take their course.โ
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Contributor:ย Joanna Lee
Chinese Translation: Chen Yuan
