Christina Yao
Photography
www.christina-yao.com
"Near or Far" is an ongoing series of photographic portraits that explore the constant negotiation of power, trust, and communication in intimate relationships.
I'm captivated by intimate human relationships due to their complex, dynamic, and often unpredictable nature. I photograph friends of diverse socio-political status, national and sexual identities, in their homes located in Calgary, Canada. I take the time to listen to their personal stories and transform these inspirations into fictional narratives within my images. Creating these pieces is a process of my self-reflection and a journey of introspection. I’m fascinated by what the camera can see and what my subjects want to reveal.
We want to be seen; we have the urge to connect, yet we worry about exposing our true selves. Our relationship with ourselves affects our connections with others. When looking at this work, we could consider, do we sometimes seek outward acceptance without taking the time to look inward? Perhaps we have a hard time truly accepting and understanding ourselves. Exploring and reflecting on moments of self-doubt takes courage. Giving ourselves permission to be vulnerable and authentic makes us, and our relationships stronger.
Near or Far
"Near or Far" is an ongoing series of photographic portraits that explore the constant negotiation of power, trust, and communication in intimate relationships.
Chinese Dream
"Chinese Dream" is an ongoing series of photographs in which I explore the complex emotions I hold for my hometown, Zhaoqing, a small city in Southern China. I have been away for nearly 14 years. My return in 2024 inspired me to document its oldest neighborhoods. Through these images, I navigate a spectrum of feelings—expressing regret for aspects of life that remain unchanged and admiration for the remarkable resilience exhibited by the community. President Xi Jinping’s slogan of the “Chinese Dream,” aimed at enhancing China’s international influence, prompts me to reflect on whether people’s lives have genuinely improved.
