Tianhu Yuan
China
ARTIST BIO
Tianhu Yuan is a self-taught Chinese visual artist based in Chengdu and Chongqing. He has a long-standing interest in ACG-related generalized Nijigen subcultural community, and aims to build a dialogue between mainstream society and subculture through his work. He also focuses on the progress of society to explore the relationship between current technology and future developments. His work has been exhibited at China 29th National Photographic Art Exhibition, RPS IPE165, Galerie Huit Arles, PHOTO IS:RAEL International Photo Festival, Jakarta International Photo Festival, PhEST Festival, Head On Photo Festival and Lishui Art Museum. He was also awarded or shortlisted from Sony World Photography Awards, Fine Art Photography Awards, BJP OpenWalls Arles, BJP Portrait of Humanity, Lucie Foundation Scholarships, PhMuseum Photography Grant, the Meitar Award for Excellence in photography and Head On Photo Awards.
PROJECT STATEMENT
“I have witnessed the benef ts of rail transit development firsthand, watching trains cut through mountains, span rivers, and weave across the landscape, redefining this mountain-river city as arteries of progress. I have strolled through an old neighborhoods, once vibrant with life, later reduced to rubble, imagining the commercial districts that would rise in their place. I have also endured the furnace-like summers in this city, journeying from its undeveloped outskirts to the skyscraper-filled heart of downtown.
After college, I came to this city and have lived and worked here for nearly a decade. It is a place that honors its past while leaning firmly into the future. In the process of pursuing development, people often leave fragments of their history behind to embrace new ways of life. Nevertheless, in making those choices, even if just in that decisive moment, there remains a shared belief that a brighter future awaits.
By capturing and organizing these evolving urban fragments and archives, I document my personal connection to the city. I seek to understand the complex relationships and challenges between people, the urban environment, and the choices we make as we look toward tomorrow.” – Tianhu Yuan
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that the Exposure Photography Festival is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Moh’kins’tsis”, which we now call the City of Calgary. This is the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. It is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. We honour and acknowledge all Nations, who live, work and play in Moh’kins’tsis, help steward this land, and honour and celebrate this territory.