Eng is a Canadian photographer known for her exploration of identity, specifically in her recent project ‘China Dream‘ which looks at the fractured identity of second generation Chinese citizens. Her work also has a key focus on the ‘rapid cycle’ of destruction and construction in modern China.
The series alludes to her struggle with her heritage and peoples reaction towards her as she travelled, due to her looking Chinese but not speaking the language, many approached her and attempted conversation. She described this as a reverse culture shock. The project spans 5 years of exploration and travel into her origins, resulting in a series of atmospheric and abstracted imagery, looking at objects, people and building but through the same alienated gaze.
For me the series reflects her identity but in such a subtle way at first glance. It’s only when we look closer and take in the context of the imagery that we understand her abstracted identity. In the images she also plays with the idea of orientalism being kitsch, with tradition being passed down over generations and altered each time, reaching the Western world and symbolising something very different. I marvel in her twisting of stereotypes and presenting viewers with what they already know as ‘China’ when in fact theres a far deeper focus on how this has been manipulated.
Eng also appears to play with Asian technique and aesthetic, all the images holding a faded, misty hue, giving them an aged and precious appearance. The image below reminds me of ancient scrolls and scriptures, the orange and yellows again adding an aged look.
My favourite image from the series depicts fish swimming quickly, yet frozen by the cameras gave. It works as a perfect microcosm for China, the scales and colours alluding to a sense of glamour and riches, China known for its dynasties of the past and its rich industry today. However, this is counteracted by the movement, the sense of no rest and a lack of time, referring to the constant construction and deconstruction going on around the country.
I have selected Eng’s project to mention as I find it different to many other documentary projects. Theres a real sense of thought into the colours and techniques that allude to China’s past and present that I find vital to the images in order the convey Eng’s confused identity. I also enjoy the documentation of many different items, places and spaces, as in life it cannot simply be one person, or one place that has shaped a person, but a combination of many and to include these is highly important in order to present the whole picture.
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