ChenXueling
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Chaoshan Mothers
2024
As a woman growing up in Chaoshan, China, I always received stereotypical comments like patriarchal/hypocritical/submissive while growing up, which to me is an anachronistic offence, full of sycophancy and subservience to male power. For a long time, I have wanted to create a series of photographs featuring Chaoshan mothers. Chaoshan mothers are a group of women who have a deep connection with the gods. On the first and fifteenth day of every month, and during all the festivals about the gods, Chaoshan mothers spend about 70 days a year worshipping the gods. During a break from returning home for Chinese New Year in 2024, I organized a photoshoot featuring four Chaoshan mothers. As an creative planner and photographer, I worked with two other stylist and makeup artist who also from Chaoshan. Notably, these four Chaoshan mothers are accomplished professionals, rather than full-time housewives. The individuals mentioned include a dress designer, a former crochet factory owner, a candy factory owner who works alongside her husband, and a full-time mother who is involved in e-commerce. We took four mothers to the traditional Chaoshan ancient city of Longhu Ancient Village. Through fashion photography, we engaged in a new dialogue with the Chaoshan mothers and re-examined the aesthetics of modern Chaoshan women's life and fashion.