Interview: Xianjun Liu
Luca Curci talks with Xianjun Liu, WINNER of the PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH – AUGUST 2024.

Xianjun Liu is a photographer currently based in London. He was born in China, and his experience of moving between different cities and countries, along with his gay identity in various complex contexts, inspires him to view the world from different perspectives and express how he feels. He left China for the UK in search of a more comfortable life for his identity but also faced struggles with his cultural identity in a new context and culture, dealing with the pressures of being an expat and immigrant. The instability and insecurity in life have deeply influenced his artistic expression, especially during the pandemic. While living and studying at The Glasgow School of Art, he began exploring the theme of time through various projects. The uncertainty during the pandemic, when no one knew where things were headed or how they would turn out, inspired him to reflect on how everything remains and changes in the river of time.

Additionally, as an expatriate living alone in a foreign country, loneliness and uncertainty are constant companions for him. He seeks solace in nature and space, immersing himself in capturing the beauty of the present moment – whether it be the vibrant hues of a tree, the dance of falling leaves, or the tranquility of a snowy landscape. These snapshots, akin to memories, mirror the passage of time. As days blur into weeks, his recollections fade like photographs, a tapestry of colors and sensations that become increasingly elusive to rewind. This inspired his first project, “The Form of Memories.” Later, his second project, “Time,” was inspired by an experience of returning to his hometown for the first time after 15 years. He photographed his first home, where everything was left as it had been 15 years ago, and he felt the power of time, recording it as a project. His artworks have been exhibited in galleries around the world, including the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, Holy Art Gallery in London, and The Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in China.

Luca Curci – How did you get into photography? Do you remember why you took your first professional photo?
Xianjun Liu – I think it was many years ago when I had my first camera and was trying to catch what I felt at that moment, surrounded by flowers and covered by sunlight, that was the thing that attracted me to do photography. My first professional photo or my first conceptual art work was started during pandemic time.

LC – According to you, what makes a good photo? Which details do you focus on?
XL – In the past I had a very rigid standard rule to define what good photo should look like, like perfect exposure, or timing, or composition, but after many years exploring what I really like, I believe, good photo are what you believe that make your photo good and unique, do not follow the standard rules the world tells you, just explore your own rule, a photo can be imperfectly exposed, or captured, or composed, but can still be a good photo for you. Just focus on the details that motivate or attract you to take this photo.

LC – Which art themes do you pursue? What is your preferred subject, if there is any?
XL – From what I have done the last few years, the theme I mainly explore is about time and home, in the context of immigration, so I would really like to explore it further.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
XL – It really depends on how I feel at each stage, photography itself for me is a tool to express my thoughts and my feelings, and to record what I feel and see. For example, when I was living and studying in Glasgow, I began exploring the theme of time through various projects since the pandemic period when everything felt up in the air, no idea where we were headed or how things would turn out, and how everything stays and changes in the river of time. Additionally, as an expatriate living alone in a foreign country, loneliness and uncertainty are constant companions seeking solace in nature and space. I immersed myself in capturing the beauty of the present moment, be it the vibrant hues of a tree, the dance of falling leaves or the tranquillity of a snowy landscape. These snapshots, akin to our memories. mirror the passage of time. As days blur into weeks, our recollections fade like photographs, a tapestry of colours and sensations that become increasingly elusive to rewind. These moments and feelings inspired me to create this project “The form of memories”.

LC – Is there an unrealised or unrealisable project, even a crazy one, that you would like to work on?
XL – There is, “The form of memories” project actually shows the insecure side of my views on time, and life, which is mainly composed by my identity, and my immigrant experience, I would really like to explore it even further and deeper for my next projects, to explore the inner world of myself to reflect it to a bigger group.

Image courtesy of Xianjun Liu

Image courtesy of Xianjun Liu