Han Yang
We are excited to feature Han Yang, the talented photographer who has recently won in the Single category at the FotoSlovo Award 2024. Through her unique visual language and thought-provoking themes, Han Yang has established herself as a compelling voice in contemporary photography.
Han Yang
People, animals and various objects stand apart in his photography. They seem to exist within the same photo, but at the same time they do not outwardly contact each other in any way.
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"The broken egg— a metaphor for the natural environment— along with the model's body, symbolize the subjectivity and the inherent fragility of the human condition"
Han Yang
— Hello Han! Our congratulations with the winning in FotoSlovo Award! It's not your first reward in photography competition. How do awards impact your photography career going forward?
— Winning prestigious awards like the FotoSlovo Award and others has been both a humbling and empowering experience. It has given my work more visibility and opened doors for new opportunities and collaborations. Awards serve as validation for my creative approach and inspire me to continue pushing boundaries. They also allow me to connect with a broader community of artists, curators, critics, which enriches my artistic journey and provides platforms to share my voice.
— Your award-winning piece, "Vulnerability," captivated the FotoSlovo jury. Can you explain the message behind the image and what vulnerability represents in your work?
— "Vulnerability" is a concept deeply rooted in the human condition, and this image is based on my research into human vulnerability. The word itself comes from the Latin term “vulnerabilis”, meaning "something that causes injury”. Philosophically, vulnerability speaks to the inherent frailty of human existence, a state that can never be fully overcome or eliminated.
It is particularly associated with certain categories of people who are considered to have greater exposure and less ability to resist abuse.
As Judith Butler wrote, "The body implies mortality, vulnerability, agency: the skin and the flesh expose us to the gaze of others, but also to touch and to violence.”
In this work, I use the concept of vulnerability as a heuristic tool to explore the relationship between humans and the non-human environment, drawing from both Western philosophy and the environmental philosophy of Heart Sutra Buddhism.
The broken egg—a metaphor for the natural environment—along with the model's body, symbolize the subjectivity and the inherent fragility of the human condition. These visual elements create a dialogue between vulnerability and resilience, between exposure and protection.
The model's skin becomes a boundary between the inner and outer worlds, open to the touch of the environment but also susceptible to violence.
It is particularly associated with certain categories of people who are considered to have greater exposure and less ability to resist abuse.
As Judith Butler wrote, "The body implies mortality, vulnerability, agency: the skin and the flesh expose us to the gaze of others, but also to touch and to violence.”
In this work, I use the concept of vulnerability as a heuristic tool to explore the relationship between humans and the non-human environment, drawing from both Western philosophy and the environmental philosophy of Heart Sutra Buddhism.
The broken egg—a metaphor for the natural environment—along with the model's body, symbolize the subjectivity and the inherent fragility of the human condition. These visual elements create a dialogue between vulnerability and resilience, between exposure and protection.
The model's skin becomes a boundary between the inner and outer worlds, open to the touch of the environment but also susceptible to violence.
— How do you balance surrealism, abstraction, and emotional depth in your visual style?
— For me, surrealism and abstraction allow the freedom to explore emotional depth without being confined to literal representation. I strive to maintain a balance by using symbolic imagery that evokes feelings and provokes thought. My goal is to create a visual dialogue between the abstract and the emotional, where the surreal elements serve as metaphors for inner experiences.
— What role does post-processing play in your workflow?
— It largely depends on the theme and the medium I’m using. For projects where I combine technology and mixed media, such as blending 3D elements, illustrations, and photography, I definitely use post-processing to bring all the components together. However, when I’m working with traditional film photography, I generally avoid post-processing.
For example, with the piece "Vulnerability," I meticulously planned every element before the shoot. This included the lighting, background colours, prop details—like the colour and size of the egg—and even the text on the model’s back, all of which were precisely prepared beforehand.
During the shoot, everything was executed in-camera, and I personally printed the final image by hand in the darkroom.
Interestingly, despite this, I’ve found that many viewers often think my works involve significant post-production. Perhaps this is part of the beautiful and captivating illusion that photography can create, blurring the lines between reality and perception.
For example, with the piece "Vulnerability," I meticulously planned every element before the shoot. This included the lighting, background colours, prop details—like the colour and size of the egg—and even the text on the model’s back, all of which were precisely prepared beforehand.
During the shoot, everything was executed in-camera, and I personally printed the final image by hand in the darkroom.
Interestingly, despite this, I’ve found that many viewers often think my works involve significant post-production. Perhaps this is part of the beautiful and captivating illusion that photography can create, blurring the lines between reality and perception.
“Listen to your inner voice, stay authentic, and trust your creative process.”
— Are there any non-photography-related influences that impact your work?
— Absolutely. Literature, film, and music influence me a lot. I often draw inspiration from films like Persona (1966), which explore identity and psychological depth. I also find that literature, especially poetry, influences the emotional tone of my work, while music helps set the mood during the creative process, allowing me to connect to the emotional landscape I want to convey.
— What advice would you give to emerging photographers?
— Find a path you’re passionate about and put all your heart into it. It’s important to listen to your inner voice, stay authentic, and trust your creative process. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore different techniques.
Practically, building connections within the art community, entering competitions, and collaborating with other creatives can be vital for career development. Persistence and resilience are key—success comes not just from talent, but from continuous learning and dedication!
Practically, building connections within the art community, entering competitions, and collaborating with other creatives can be vital for career development. Persistence and resilience are key—success comes not just from talent, but from continuous learning and dedication!