In 2018, FUJIFILM and Magnum Photos Collaborative Project "HOME", this set of photos originated from the invitational exhibition of "HOME" where Fujifilm X-Space in Shanghai invited Chinese photographers to shoot.
The shooting was in 2021, amidst Shanghai's recovery from the initial wave of the epidemic and shifts in the national economy towards internal circulation. Shanghai was experiencing large-scale personnel changes. I delved into the lives of three families, each with its own unique story: two girls sharing an old foreign-style Apartment, a Taiwanese girl's romance with a mainland boy, and a family rooted in a private house in Shanghai's Xintiandi for decades. Initially, I aimed to portray three distinct yet uplifting stories through photography. However, as I delved deeper, I realised they were interconnected, forming a single narrative. A late-night post by one of the girls resonated: "One must learn to find solace in solitude. It is in solitude that life becomes clearer." The leading lady of the romantic Taiwanese, confined to her home during the pandemic, found herself yearning to leave daily. Due to economic reasons, she has begun to miss it now. Presently, Uncle YeShu‘s family grapples with the dilemma of leaving their ancestral home, unable to afford a new one. Reflecting on the images, I discovered a juxtaposition of emotions. While capturing the scenery and sunshine, I sensed a tinge of discontent. It's clear that the intention of the photos had already contradicted the original intent of the sponsoring brand. At that time, I couldn't bring myself to betray my own beliefs. After many rounds of editing, Fuji X-Space still allowed me to exhibit as scheduled. Ironically, after the exhibition ended, all three families I photographed had already left their "HOME"s.
This is the title deed of the house purchased at that time. According to the owner's account, when foreign firms in Shanghai retreated, her grandfather received a dissolution fee. He purchased three rows of villas here, However, due to the Cultural Revolution, two of the rows were taken over by others. After subsequent land reforms, the land became state property, rendering the paper valueless.
