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Guanling Chen, born in a southern city of China, now lives and works in Shanghai. She focuses on photography and self-publishing. By photographing landscapes, portraits and still life, she attempts to trace the lost paradise and explore the relationship between people, space, and herself. And she hopes to find more possibilities for practice in the form of touchable books.
In what ways does nature inspire or inform your work?
Nature is one of the most important inspirations in my work. I grew up in the countryside and my childhood was surrounded by the smell of the earth, the sounds of insects and the shelter of trees. Nature is my playground. I hope to use my work to express my attachment and appreciation for nature and to inspire people to return to nature to observe, touch and feel the real plants, animals and themselves.
What does it mean to you to be part of a thriving ecosystem?
Being part of a thriving ecosystem means gratitude to me. I feel so small in front of the vast forest and ocean, yet I am incredibly grateful that I can exist in nature to experience this wonderful world with perception and emotion. At the same time, I hope that I can play a small role in protecting the strong vitality of this system.
