Fiona Chen
With my photography, I hope to transcend language barriers and empower youth who struggle to assert their identities amid cultural clashes. Moving abroad as a teenager was a journey intertwined with loss and distress that profoundly affected my sense of self. Due to language barriers and cultural differences, I had a tough time relating to people around me. Being unable to form a sense of belonging while grieving was deeply isolating and wounding, ultimately leading to patterns of self-doubt and unhealthy coping mechanisms. I aspire to reach a place where these emotional scars are not an obstacle for my most authentic self to flourish. Art plays a pivotal role in navigating my cultural identity as it serves as a universal language. As a visual artist, creating images to communicate my thoughts and feelings often resonates more effectively with others when I can't find the words to express myself.
In my photography, I work with both color and black-and-white, often making the choice intuitively during editing. I like taking portraits because I find their interpretation to be especially nuanced, thought-provoking, and insightful exercises of empathy. Besides, it is an opportunity to incorporate fashion, another passion of mine, into my work. I also enjoy experimenting with candid photography. I'm frequently capturing stills of the world around me, no matter where I am or whom I'm with. I'm particularly drawn to Brazilian street culture and nightlife, as they first sparked my artistry. I love the capacity to eternalize meaningful memories and glimpse the experiences, emotions, and relationships I've had in the past that shape who I am today.
I see art as an agent of change: a powerful tool to ignite discussions, foster connections, and heal wounds. It has always been a place of liberation, community, and joy for me. With my work, I hope to extend this empowerment to more teenagers who feel disconnected from their inner and outer worlds.
Fiona Chen, b. 2005
Meraki, 2024
Digital inkjet print
16 × 20 in.
Fiona Chen, b. 2005
Litost, 2024
Digital inkjet print
16 × 20 in.
Fiona Chen is eighteen years old and is currently in a gap semester. She was born to Chinese parents in Brazil, where she lived for sixteen years. After moving to Queens, the possibility of pursuing a career in the arts became more tangible. Although passionate about multiple mediums, she is currently invested in filmmaking and photography. Art has a central role in Fiona's life, not only as an outlet for self-expression but also as a learning tool. Besides music, fashion, poetry, and media, she gravitates toward philosophy, psychology, and sociology for inspiration. With her work, Fiona hopes to break language barriers, become an agent of change, and contribute to the democratization of art.