Born in China, Yuhan Wu studied photography at the Communication University of China. During her time in Beijing, she created numerous projects and was recognized with the Chinese Outstanding Young Artist Award. Following the great success of her graduate show, Yuhan was hired by renowned artist Man Chen to work at her studio. In 2022, Yuhan moved to London to further her career as a visual artist. Yuhan’s work primarily explores themes such as philosophy, social environment issues, and the narratives of forgotten marginalized communities. Yuhan's unique perspective, shaped by her diverse experiences and cultural background, allows her to create art that challenges perceptions and evokes deep emotional responses. Through her lens, she captures the raw beauty and stark realities of life, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own perceptions and the world around them. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, both in London and internationally, and continues to resonate with audiences globally. She has been selected as one of the top ten young photographers to watch by the China Artist.
How much do you know about the autistic community? Artist Yuhan Wu responds to this question in her latest series of works. Yuhan’s connection with her autistic friend began in 2007, and over the years, she gained deep insight into the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their profound inner desires. With a deep sense of longing for her childhood friend, Yuhan embarked on a series of works focusing on autism.
Autism is a broad developmental disorder characterized by social communication difficulties, narrow interests, and repetitive behaviors. These traits often leave the true needs of autistic individuals misunderstood by society. After extensive interactions with autistic people and reading relevant literature, Yuhan discovered that their inner vitality and longing for freedom are as strong as anyone else's. She drew inspiration for the visual style of this project from a Japanese autistic author who described the autistic experience as "floating outside of normal time, with a deep yearning to return to a water-filled ancient era of freedom." Yuhan incorporated this narrative into her work, using photography to delicately explore the inner world of autistic individuals. She employed soft light and gentle green tones to create timeless and intimate images, quietly exploring the narratives that are often missing for this overlooked group. The artist believes in the power of individual images, using fragmented and ambiguous subjects to infuse a calm strength into the pictures, drawing viewers into the images and inviting them to feel the presence beyond the frame.
In this project, Yuhan introduced the concept of synesthesia, skillfully combining the relationship between autistic individuals and plants, and linking it to her earlier project, Breathless Entities. She completed her solo photography exhibition at the Guangzhou Art Museum. Through the merging of autism and plant life, Yuhan raised complex questions about the relationship between freedom and restraint, and the internal and external worlds. In contemporary art, artists often use metaphor and symbolism to reveal social issues. Through the image of a hand touching natural elements, Yuhan expressed the repressed desire for freedom and the powerful vitality beneath the surface of autistic individuals. Through this metaphor, Yuhan challenges traditional perceptions of autism, calling on people to reassess the true needs and inner world of this community. In the context of contemporary art, this series not only challenges traditional artistic forms but also plays a significant role in the discourse on social issues.
The artist also published her photography book Hidden Whispers in the Hollow in tandem with this project. In this book, Yuhan uses poetic language and imagery to lead the audience into the story of her and her autistic friend. These vibrant images and narratives are the artist’s resistance and response to societal neglect and the public's often misguided discourse surrounding autistic children.
Website:https://wuyuhan.cargo.site/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuhanwuphoto/
コメント