Journey into Midnight

A sea of umbrellas gathers around a pedestrian crossing. Puddles sparkle with artificial pinks and blues. Advertisements glare from the sides of buildings. Liam Wong’s (b. 1987) photographs are deeply influenced by the visual identities of video games, utilising vibrant colours, open landscapes and cyberpunk imagery. Japanese films such as Akira (1988) and Ghost in the Shell (1995) provide reference points for the neon-soaked alleyways. Wong wanders through Tokyo’s city streets, seeking moments of isolation amongst the tireless bustle. Lanterns are left swinging in the early hours of the morning and empty train tracks snake around open bends. Wong is also a world-renowned art director and game designer, having been the youngest director to work with Ubisoft on Far Cry 4 (2014). In 2017, he was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30. His latest monograph, TO:KY:OO, is available from Thames & Hudson. thamesandhudson.com | liamwong.com