Secrets to Stirring up a Breeze

Secret to Stirring up a Breeze is a photographic meditation that explores the intricate tapestry of urbanisation, family, and religion in Fuzhou, a south coastal city that is my hometown and a landscape of change. This project, unfolding over seven years, captures the evolution of Fuzhou through my periodic returns, which have shaped my dual perception as both insider and outsider.

Through the lens, the series examines the shifts in urban landscapes against the static, enduring nature of familial ties and religious traditions, encapsulating the personal dissonance felt upon returning to a place that feels both familiar and alien. The photographs serve not only as a visual documentation of Fuzhou's transformation but also as a personal narrative of rediscovery and reflection.

In Secret to Stirring up a Breeze, I engage with the city’s physical and cultural landscapes, using my camera to probe deep into the layers of community, spirituality, and the personal quest for belonging. This project is not just a chronicle of a city’s evolution but a deeper exploration of the emotional and spiritual impacts of urbanisation on individual and collective identities, making visible the invisible currents that stir us internally as we navigate the places we call home.

Haohui Liu is part of »Guest Room: Simon Baker & Aden Vincendeau«.

Check out his Artist Feature Great Celebration.