Your name
Li Aixiao
Place of birth
Sichuan, China
Place where you live now
Chengdu, China
3 words to describe you
Optimistic, empathetic, communication
Why do you take pictures?
I started to enjoy taking photos when I was young, influenced by my father. As time went by, taking pictures became more than just a hobby - it became a way for me to capture my emotions and memories. But it wasn't until I started using photography as a means of communication that I truly fell in love with the art form. Through my photos, I've been able to connect with people on a deeper level and gain a better understanding of myself.
Where do you get your inspiration?
From people, I can get more inspiration. There is an ancient saying that among any three travelers, there will be a teacher… meaning that we can always learn from those around us. Of course, reading, traveling, and visiting exhibitions can also bring some inspiration.
Who are your influences?
My father. When I was a child, my father often took pictures of me and so, from a young age, the camera was no stranger. When I went to university at the age of eighteen, he gave me a film camera. He didn’t say anything about photography, but it was like a seed had been planted deep in my heart waiting to germinate.
What determines the subject matter you choose?
Curiosity about people. I have always been interested in people, observing how they behave.
What impact would you like your art to have?
Once when I was recruiting for shooting my project, a lady said that she didn't have any special story to tell, but she also wanted to be recorded as an ordinary person. It deeply moved me and inspired me to use my art to showcase the stories of more ordinary people. I hope that through my art, the stories of the lives of those who may not have a particularly unique story but still deserve recognition can be seen by more and more people.
What artwork do you never get bored with?
I do not experience aesthetic fatigue with any particular piece. Different artworks can bring different feelings and experiences at different times and moods.
Is there anything you want to add?
No, thanks for the interview.

I Am With Me
Project statement

When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020, I was forced to stay at home for a long time, suffocated by the compression of space and the concrete sense of time. While everyone began to maintain social distance, I wanted to escape home, break the distance and get in touch with people in reality.

I started to explore the mostly unknown private spaces of strangers. A tacit understanding between my subjects and me was, ‘When I give you a sense of security you need to keep me safe’. The project mainly discusses “body &identity” and “private information & private space”.

During the shootings, we chatted, did everyday things together, and they lent me their clothes so I could ‘be them’. This kind of private connection involved exchanging so much personal information that we started to ‘become’ each other. I wanted to evoke kindness and trust among people. The more isolated the environment is, the more we feel the need to embrace each other, although it is difficult.

li aixiao
@liaixiao