Charles Wang
TIFA 2023 Interview with Charles Wang
Gold winner in Advertising, Non-Professional, “Away Way”
Q: Can you briefly tell us about your background and what inspired you to pursue photography?
I was first introduced to photography in 2014 as a wedding photographer and whilst I found the ability of photography to capture moments fascinating, I was frustrated by the overly standardised process required to produce commercially viable images. This undermined the authenticity of the event and made me rethink my understanding of the industry. in 2015, I switched to working as a fashion photography assistant and over the past three years, I have developed strong technical skills. However, I also observed the homogenisation and derivative nature of many Chinese fashion photography works. I felt marginalised when I tried to shoot from my own creative perspective. This experience, coupled with the fact that the Chinese education system does not encourage personal expression, forced me to pursue postgraduate studies abroad. At the University of the Arts London, I found my voice as an artist and established my research interest in the intersection of photography with psychology and therapy. My undergraduate and postgraduate studies equipped me with the technical skills of photography and developed my ability to critically analyse the social and cultural contexts of artworks, for which I developed a deep understanding of the complex interplay between personal experience, philosophical ideals and creative expression. Especially during my postgraduate studies, my understanding of photography has changed dramatically, from the past, when I was simply pursuing the external visual, to the present, when I value the intrinsic essence. I gradually got rid of the influence of fashion and commercial photography. Photography is not only a job for me, but also a medium for me to express myself and understand myself. It is a medium for me to express myself and understand myself. I tried to break through the limitations of fashion photography to find more possibilities for myself. Therefore, in my second postgraduate project “Nobody Spaces”, I try to find the boundaries of fashion photography. In this project, I photographed my friends rather than professional fashion models, the backgrounds of the photographs were real and realistic, I deliberately avoided photographing the faces of my subjects, and formed my own visual language through continuous shooting. In my final project ‘Away Way’, I explore these concepts using childhood memories of growing up in China. By recalling the contrasting experiences of rural and urban life outside of Shanghai, I seek to convey the impact that early life has on a person and the lasting effects of the environment. Using the Taoist and Zen philosophies of living in harmony with nature as a lens, I processed these memories into an imaginative fashion photography series. This project has given me the freedom to interpret my influences outside of established norms, reflecting on what I have learnt about using art for academic discourse and healing from the hardships of the past. Submitting my thesis is the culmination of what I have learnt to date and prepares me to delve more deeply into the potential of photography for expression and social commentary.
Q: What drove you to submit your work to the TIFA competition and your thoughts on how winning this competition impacted your artistic journey?
The main reason is that after graduating from the MA Photography major at the University of the Arts London, I had problems with my perception of my own identity for quite some time; I am neither a fashion photographer in the traditional sense, nor a full-time photographic artist, so what should I do with my photographs – as the imprints that carry my life? In order to solve this nagging doubt, I started trying to collect information on photography competitions. I was very impressed with TIFA because it is an international photography competition and is in Asia, and the roots of my personal work are my life experiences in Asia, and I believe that photography competitions in Asia can resonate with my work. So I didn’t hesitate to put together a project and enter the TIFA competition.
Q: Could you describe any challenges you faced while capturing this moment (winning image/s)?
The biggest challenge was how to deal with the boundaries of fashion photography. I wanted to break away from the constraints of the Chinese fashion photography industry and find more possibilities in fashion photography. After continuous experimentation, I created five installations in the form of installation art that symbolised childhood memories, avoiding the superficiality that I had faced in the past in fashion photography. After completing this series of shoots, I realised that I am more suitable for fine art photography, and resolved to explore more in the direction of fine art photography. In terms of the depth of expression of my works, I don’t think that traditional fashion photography can give me enough space to express myself.
Q: What, in your opinion, are the most important factors in creating great images?
In my opinion, the most important factor is how to show personal identity in an image, many photo photographers don’t lack talent and effort, but their work can be fleeting in the billions of similar photographs, in the corner of no one’s view.
Q: What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of photography? Q: What motivates and drives your photography?
Photography is the proof of my existence, I need photography, taking photos is a kind of self-healing for me. I have grown up in a blow along the way, before I got into photography, I thought I was useless well, I couldn’t find the meaning of my existence. Until I started to take photos, I realised that this is what I love and what I am good at. I found the most suitable way to express myself, and in the process of taking photos, I gradually have a clear understanding of myself.
Q: What’s next for you in your career as a photographer?
Next I intend to continue doing a long-term project “Nobody Spaces”, and I plan to put together a catalogue of work from this project in 2025.
