Psychology, femininity, gender, technology and the body. These are key themes at the heart of Han Yang’s research-led practice. The London-based photographer, visual artist and creative director combines elements from abstraction, Chinese philosophy, fashion, posthumanism and surrealism to build pictures that are rich in emotional depth. Her close- up portraits use visual metaphors – like broken eggs, or butterfly wings – alongside writings from Buddhist text The Heart Sutra, to explore what it means to be vulnerable, yet resilient, amidst periods of personal and global turmoil. Elsewhere, subjects stand next to withered tree trunks or cherry blossoms in shallow pools; the concept here is to examine the intrinsic connections between people, plants and their environments. All of this is executed through a distinct visual style. Han Yang consistently pushes the boundaries of genre, drawing the viewer in via symbolism, mystery and precise attention to detail. yanghan-photo.com

 

 

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Image credits:

1. Han Yang, Vulnerability, (2020). Image courtesy of the artist.

2. Han Yang, Tenderness and Conflict, (2020). Image courtesy of the artist.

3. Han Yang, Vulnerability, (2020). Image courtesy of the artist.

4. Han Yang, What does the plant tell us?, (2020). Image courtesy of the artist.

5. Han Yang, The Life of A Tree, (2021). Image courtesy of the artist.

6. Han Yang, Undercurrents, (2020). Image courtesy of the artist.

7. Han Yang, Vulnerability, (2020). Image courtesy of the artist.

8. Han Yang, Oriental Dream, (2019). Image courtesy of the artist.

9. Han Yang, Nonhuman Environment, (2020). Image courtesy of the artist.

10. Han Yang, Vulnerability, (2020). Image courtesy of the artist.