Luo Yang
represents the new, young Chinese photography using film. With half the worlds population, it’s amazing how the youth of China has elevated film to an almost norm. Luo Yang loves her film and is committed to a policy of computer “non-interference”. Her photography is receiving more recognition, like at the Groninger Museum, Netherlands. She exhibits a very raw,…sometimes even blurry, snapshot aesthetic. While at the same time, almost a delicate construction of the images.
The New Chinese Photography
Beijing based, she has been working on revealing China’s new generation of girls. Portraits of a strong and vibrant population of young women. The same youthful vibrancy and punk attitude as their western counterparts. Even to the chagrin of a government that frowns on such personal expression. But if their is one thing that Luo Yangs’ photos show us; Girls will be Girls.
Images Can Change Perceptions
She considers “sexy” to be someone who is “healthy and fearless”. The naturalness of her subjects can be disarming, nude or not. Besides European galleries, she has exhibited extensively in China. Thanks to people like Ai Weiwei calling her a rising star in Chinese photography. She is seeing, and expressing, a transition in China, where young women are embracing their individuality. And Luo Yang is the first to be able to participate in their “bravery”. She is trying to tear down walls of perception that exist regarding their self-image and sexuality. Not just to Westerners, but also to the rest of China. Using a few film cameras, including SLR’s, I’ve mostly seen her with the Yashica 35. Not that it matters much.
An Open Invite
We extend an open invite to show in the US. Hopefully, that can happen soon. We applaud her for her use of film in her art. But it’s her challenging the traditions of women in Chinese society we most applaud. While she does not yet have a website, per se, I encourage everyone to Google her shows,…especially ‘GIRLS’. Find Minolta Hi-Matic