In QUAD Extra Gallery Spaces, we present the work of Lingfei Ren and her exhibition From That Day On.
Each of us has a story that starts from “that day”. For Lingfei Ren, From That Day On is a long-term project presenting her memories and experiences that are multi-threaded and interweaved through her work. The images metaphorically and candidly reflect Ren’s responses to family, love, changes in the social environment and world events. Ren discusses the definition of ‘home’ and people’s psychological conditions affected by identity, family, social construction, and urban life. The effect can be individual or collective; they can also be temporary or consecutive.
Through mixed media and photographic imagery, Ren's works explore the drastic changes people experienced in their lives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and how the consequent adoption of new habits in the way we communicate has become an accustomed way of life. Ren's works also touch on how people’s attitude towards life and their perception of the world completely shifted during this time and reflects her emotional projection of life in the epidemic — loneliness, depression, disappointment, anxiety, and loss.
From That Day On by Lingfei Ren is curated by Jodi Kwok and is presented as part of FORMAT International Photography Festival 2023. Ren was awarded the Lishui/FORMAT Award 2021, selected by Louise Fedotov-Clements and Niamh Treacy as part of FORMAT’s ongoing partnership with the Lishui International Photography Festival, China. With thanks to Wang Peiquan and Isabella Xueke Wang.