Naturally our selected artists in The 10 reflect our times in their varied projects and in many projects, time itself is the subject.
In Peking Wood Chinese photographer Xiang Fei Tian explores the complexities of life for young Chinese as they try to navigate life in an ever-changing Beijing. He writes: “100 years ago, the young people of China shouted for their state; 100 years later, the youth now shout for themselves.”
Unlike Xiang Fei Tian’s contemporary portraits, American Diane Meyer looks back in time. For her project Reunion, she hand embroiders selected parts of archival school photos from the 70’s and reminds us that this was the last generation growing up in a pre-digital era.
Italian Edoardo de Falchi also digs into his archive and uses vintage material to create retro-futuristic cyberpunk collages for No-Future Science Fiction.
In Pages, a series about personal growth Ukrainian artist Savka invites us to consider our life journey and to acknowledge each chapter that makes us who we are.
The passage of time manifests in Diego Fabro’s work Breeze and Ashes too. The Ireland-based Brazilian photographer says that time keeps moving and that the connection remains even after the passing of his father who is a protagonist in his series while Grzegorz Wełnicki(Poland) and Ina Königs (Germany) question the “cyclical nature of existence”. Grzegorz’ project No’AM is inspired by the death of a loved one whereas Ina looks at the symbolic meaning in the old myth ofUndine.
Argentinian artist Andrea Alkalay’s multi dimensional work Unearth and French photographer Valentin Valette’s portraits in Ashes of the Arabian’s Pearl take different routes to explore the social, environmental and economic impact of rapid urbanization. Andrea drawsinspiration from the Bedouin tribes, while Valentin focuses on the division of Oman’s population.
South-African Stefanie Langenhoven’s portraits in The Extraordinary Beauty of Ginger Haired Girls offer a more personal approach on societal norms and expectations, which reminds us of the witch burning of red-haired women throughout history.
