Photography by Jinyong Lian
Jinyong Lian, a lens-based artist and editor, crafts evocative visual narratives that blur the lines between personal experience and fictional constructs. Born in China and a 2024 graduate of Beaux-Arts de Paris, Lian’s work delves into the psychological tensions embedded in relationships, using the body as a tool for storytelling. Her images, which she describes as “independent fables,” explore the uncertainties that arise from human interaction and the silent pressures within society.
At the core of her practice is a fascination with performance and gesture, where constructed scenes serve as metaphors for deeper emotional and societal struggles. Inspired by The Emperor’s New Clothes, Lian likens herself to the child in the tale—the one unafraid to expose uncomfortable truths:
“I see myself as that child—using my creative process as a declaration, calmly and humorously exposing the absurdities of contemporary life. Through playful yet metaphorical scenes, I strive to explore the psychological tension individuals experience when confronted by conflict or absurd situations. This exploration arises from my constant sense that our daily lives are permeated by invisible oppression and undefined dangers—often manifesting in interpersonal relationships and the tensions between individuals and societal structures. This sensation resonates closely with Freud’s concept of the ‘uncanny,’ a subtle and elusive unease that lingers beneath the surface of everyday life.”
Lian’s personal experiences as an Asian woman and sexual minority living in Europe profoundly inform her work. Daily encounters with gender expectations and societal alienation lead her to examine female identities and the unspoken “scripts” that shape women’s interactions and choices. Through her lens, she captures the contradictions of contemporary existence, offering a sharp yet poetic critique of the world around her.
