A closer look at Chinese-Norwegian photographer, Xin Li, on the power of keeping a sense of belonging in tow.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY XIN LI TEXT BY TARA KARAÇİZMELİ
‘It is, in particular, important to distinguish between the inclusionary role of identity and the exclusionary force of separatism.’ —Amartya Sen
Two different cultures, two different worlds. Born in 1994, on Stord Island, off the west coast of Norway, photographer Xin Li’s work captures the intersection of her Asian heritage with Scandinavian minimalism. Her photographs remind us of an issue we often overlook: the struggle for identity to prevail, whether it unites or divides.
Where do we belong? Is it the place we were born or the family we were born into? What about the place we belong to? Is it where we feel a sense of belonging? For Xin Li, belonging is a profound search for personal identity and a cultural synthesis. Her art delves into the complexities of linking the feelings of remoteness and division created by very different sociological, political, cultural, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Li’s images navigate these contrasting realms, exploring how they shape and redefine our sense of belonging.
Li masterfully portrays the contrast between China’s traditional collectivism and Norway’s more individualistic society. She juxtaposes China’s deep-seated community ties and family values, a country known for its economic inequality, competitive education system and state-controlled media, with Norway’s egalitarian, prosperous living standards and freedom of the press. On one hand, she is a foreigner, living on a sparsely-inhabited island of only 19,000 people. On the other hand, she hails from a huge country of 1.4 billion people, a small fish in a big pond. Her work has been shaped by the differences between these two cultures, reflecting her journey to find a sense of belonging amid such divergent worlds. Through her lens, Li weaves together China’s traditional values and Norway’s modern lifestyle, portraying the complexities of identity in today’s world.
A closer look at Chinese-Norwegian photographer, Xin Li, on the power of keeping a sense of belonging in tow.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY XIN LI TEXT BY TARA KARAÇİZMELİ
‘It is, in particular, important to distinguish between the inclusionary role of identity and the exclusionary force of separatism.’ —Amartya Sen
Two different cultures, two different worlds. Born in 1994, on Stord Island, off the west coast of Norway, photographer Xin Li’s work captures the intersection of her Asian heritage with Scandinavian minimalism. Her photographs remind us of an issue we often overlook: the struggle for identity to prevail, whether it unites or divides.
Where do we belong? Is it the place we were born or the family we were born into? What about the place we belong to? Is it where we feel a sense of belonging? For Xin Li, belonging is a profound search for personal identity and a cultural synthesis. Her art delves into the complexities of linking the feelings of remoteness and division created by very different sociological, political, cultural, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Li’s images navigate these contrasting realms, exploring how they shape and redefine our sense of belonging.
Li masterfully portrays the contrast between China’s traditional collectivism and Norway’s more individualistic society. She juxtaposes China’s deep-seated community ties and family values, a country known for its economic inequality, competitive education system and state-controlled media, with Norway’s egalitarian, prosperous living standards and freedom of the press. On one hand, she is a foreigner, living on a sparsely-inhabited island of only 19,000 people. On the other hand, she hails from a huge country of 1.4 billion people, a small fish in a big pond. Her work has been shaped by the differences between these two cultures, reflecting her journey to find a sense of belonging amid such divergent worlds. Through her lens, Li weaves together China’s traditional values and Norway’s modern lifestyle, portraying the complexities of identity in today’s world.
A closer look at Chinese-Norwegian photographer, Xin Li, on the power of keeping a sense of belonging in tow.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY XIN LI TEXT BY TARA KARAÇİZMELİ
‘It is, in particular, important to distinguish between the inclusionary role of identity and the exclusionary force of separatism.’ —Amartya Sen
Two different cultures, two different worlds. Born in 1994, on Stord Island, off the west coast of Norway, photographer Xin Li’s work captures the intersection of her Asian heritage with Scandinavian minimalism. Her photographs remind us of an issue we often overlook: the struggle for identity to prevail, whether it unites or divides.
Where do we belong? Is it the place we were born or the family we were born into? What about the place we belong to? Is it where we feel a sense of belonging? For Xin Li, belonging is a profound search for personal identity and a cultural synthesis. Her art delves into the complexities of linking the feelings of remoteness and division created by very different sociological, political, cultural, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Li’s images navigate these contrasting realms, exploring how they shape and redefine our sense of belonging.
Li masterfully portrays the contrast between China’s traditional collectivism and Norway’s more individualistic society. She juxtaposes China’s deep-seated community ties and family values, a country known for its economic inequality, competitive education system and state-controlled media, with Norway’s egalitarian, prosperous living standards and freedom of the press. On one hand, she is a foreigner, living on a sparsely-inhabited island of only 19,000 people. On the other hand, she hails from a huge country of 1.4 billion people, a small fish in a big pond. Her work has been shaped by the differences between these two cultures, reflecting her journey to find a sense of belonging amid such divergent worlds. Through her lens, Li weaves together China’s traditional values and Norway’s modern lifestyle, portraying the complexities of identity in today’s world.
CURA
18
OUT NOW
is a large format international biannual magazine from Istanbul. Focusing on arts, culture and society, each issue tackles various universal subjects within a distinct theme.
Address
Karaköy Tarihi Un Değirmeni Binası, Kemankeş Mahallesi, Ali Paşa Değirmen Sokak 16, 34425, Karaköy Istanbul, Turkey
+90 212 232 4288
contact@212magazine.com
CURA
18
OUT NOW
is a large format international biannual magazine from Istanbul. Focusing on arts, culture and society, each issue tackles various universal subjects within a distinct theme.
Address
Karaköy Tarihi Un Değirmeni Binası, Kemankeş Mahallesi, Ali Paşa Değirmen Sokak 16, 34425, Karaköy Istanbul, Turkey
+90 212 232 4288
contact@212magazine.com
CURA
18
OUT NOW
is a large format international biannual magazine from Istanbul. Focusing on arts, culture and society, each issue tackles various universal subjects within a distinct theme.
Address
Karaköy Tarihi Un Değirmeni Binası, Kemankeş Mahallesi, Ali Paşa Değirmen Sokak 16, 34425, Karaköy Istanbul, Turkey
+90 212 232 4288
contact@212magazine.com