Yuluan Dong
I am a contemporary photographer based in both China and the UK. I hold an MA degree from the University of Edinburgh and am currently completing an MDes degree in Communication Design, specializing in photography, at the Glasgow School of Art.
Much of my photographic work stems from my personal growth, experiences and observations of the world around me. For my latest project, I used the twilight and darkness outside as my photographic studio to explore the cyclical nature of life through Scotland’s native flora and fauna. My images can be poetic yet contemplative, evoking a sense of solitude and introspection. I am dedicated to pushing the boundaries of photography, challenging viewers to see beyond the surface and engage in a deeper dialogue with the world around us. My previous projects “Gone with the Wave” and “55°97’N, 3°3’W” have been exhibited at “The Unbounded Project” in 2023, hosted by the Three Shadows Photography Art Centre in China.
As I continues to evolve as an artist, I aim to create work that resonates with audiences on a personal level, inviting them to consider their own experiences and perceptions of the world.
Series
Of Life and Time
The inspiration for Of Life and Time came from my personal experience in the spring of 2022, when I relocated to Shanghai with high hopes for a new chapter in my life. To my surprise, I was put under quarantine for 68 days from March to May, and my movements were restricted to just five minutes outside each day for Covid tests. Upon my return to Shenzhen in June, I believed I could finally resume a normal life. However, I was still required to undergo daily Covid tests and was limited in my movements if I failed to comply.
My life was completely disrupted by the daily Covid tests. I felt like a perishable item with an expiration date. I started to question what in this world does not have a limited lifespan. It seemed like everything in life is temporary and had an end, including milk, canned food, and even love and life itself.
This experience prompted me to ponder the impermanence of all things, prompting me to initiate this investigation into the meaning of existence and time. I was inspired by photographers such as Karl Blossfeldt and Imogen Cunningham to use the outside twilight and darkness as a studio for my photography, after conducting research and taking multiple photos. I depicted the cycle of life by capturing the cyclical essence of Scotland’s flora and fauna.
