This photographic series aims to investigate the relationship between collectivism and its impact on individuality through lighting.
I was moving from China to Australia in my formative years established my strong relationship with both countries. Under the socio-cultural pressure in China, I learnt to prioritize for the group’s profit; comparatively, the education I received in Australia is more focused on the interests of the individual. The spotlight in the photographs can be translated to the conflicting value I was taught and my nonconformity in either culture.
Red represents the Chinese regime and my complicated relationship with the oppressive government. The government portrays the flag as the blood of those who died in war for the country. For me, it is the blood of another fellow citizen as opposed to the soldier. The way the country depicts the soldier removes agency and individual desire, and this is reflected in how the government wants the citizens to operate. Hence the colour red is the dominant colour in this series.
