At the upcoming Rotterdam Photography Festival in 2024, it has just been announced that Yoli will be selected into the photography festival as one of the few shortlisted Chinese artists in the United States. She wrote in her personal introduction: "I love philosophy, but there is no final truth to most things in the world. At least through photography, I can raise questions." She believes that this idea of always looking for final truth is the biggest difference between her and other photographers, and it is also the most attractive quality in her works.
Entering her fifth year of creative work, Yoli has redefined visual storytelling through her photographic art. As an artist with a rich creative background, concepts and meanings occupy a central place in her works. Her lens captures not only scenes but also delves into the stories and emotions behind each image. In this process, Yoli continually shines in the world of creative photography with her unique perspective and profound reflections. Her works transcend the boundaries of traditional photography, becoming a bridge that communicates between the inner world and external reality, telling profound stories about life, love, time, and existence.
Yoli's photography career began in 2019, when she first picked up a camera with serious intent and almost immediately displayed extraordinary talent. Her early works, brimming with freshness and a spirit of exploration, quickly caught the attention of the industry. She was selected for a travel photography blogger competition by Mafengwo, a top Chinese travel MCN organization, and successfully signed a contract, planning travel photography projects for tourism bureaus in China and South Korea.
Her creative journey did not stop there. After demonstrating exceptional talent in the field of photography within the same year, she joined the marketing and creative department of the world-class fashion magazine "GQ," embarking on her professional career in the creative field. At "GQ," she not only deepened her understanding of advertising creativity but also began applying her unique perspective and photographic skills to the commercial realm. In 2020, her career path led her to Ogilvy, one of the world's largest advertising agency, where she provided creative solutions to numerous international clients, blending market trend insights with artistic aesthetics. By 2021, with her rich experience and unique creative vision, Yoli returned to the fashion industry as the Creative Editor for "ELLEMEN" magazine. In this role, she served various international brands including Celine, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac. She perfectly integrated her profound understanding of photographic art and creative thinking into commercial strategies and visual communication, bringing a new wave of creativity to the fashion world.
Yoli's career has reached a new turning point. With her wealth of creative experience, keen fashion sense, and unique photographic style, she has been admitted to the Fashion Photography program at the School of Visual Arts in New York, marking a deeper academic pursuit in her field. There, she not only honed her photography skills but also deepened her understanding and mastery of fashion photography. After graduation, her talent in photography was quickly and widely recognized.
The glory of personal achievements illuminated Yoli's creative career. The year 2023 marked a splendid chapter in her artistic journey. Her unique perspective and innovative approach received high acclaim in the international photography community. Her series of works were selected for the "A State of Consciousness" exhibition organized by Profifoto, and displayed at the Rencontres d'Arles, one of the most prestigious photography festivals in the world, signifying international recognition of her unique photographic style and profound thinking. Additionally, her works were recognized in the “open theme” category of the Fine Art Photography Awards and nominated in the “digital enhanced photography” category at the New York Photography Awards, further confirming her exceptional talent in post-processing photography. From 2022 to 2023, her works were collected by galleries worldwide, not just in New York, but also in Asia, Europe, and more, including Florence Contemporary Gallery, Blackbox Gallery, KPLA, and appeared in renowned fashion magazines like Mob Journal, Selin, Rebel, and were fortunate to be published in Germany. Her name and works sparked widespread discussion in the international art circle.
Beyond photography, she also demonstrated amazing talent in fashion short film creation. Her short films "ByeBye! Bipolar" and "The Borrowers" are examples of the perfect fusion of fashion and film art. These works, with their unique perspectives, profound implications, and exquisite production techniques, stood out in numerous international film festivals such as Pimcomedy Fashion Film Festival, Bensenville Short Film Festival, Short to the Point Film Festival, Video Art and Experimental Film Festival, and Fotogenia Film Festival, capturing the attention of global audiences. These works not only showcased her depth as a creator but also left her unique artistic mark on the international film scene.
In all her works, Yoli exhibits strong creativity. Her photographs are not just about capturing the beauty of the moment; they explore deep dialogues between personal and impersonal consciousness through narrative. Her works touch on society, self, death, and the uncertainties of love, showing her unique insights and profound exploration of these universal themes.
In the same year, Yoli co-founded the studio Madstudio, dedicated to using the power of creativity and imagery to bring more interesting works for brands seeking success in the New York market or those already rooted there. Through Madstudio, as a creative director and photographer, she planned the October cover video for "OK China" magazine during New York Fashion Week, followed artists shooting Coach's Fall 2023 fashion show, planned the NFR conference live stream for Chinese brand Xiangcheng Technology's expansion into the US market, and served as a photographer for the new product launch of the American design brand AKZ studio. Moreover, as a photographic creative, she continuously outputs her commercial value. Yoli's series of achievements demonstrate her outstanding talent in her professional field.
Besides her professional achievements, Yoli also exhibits a profound sense of social responsibility. As a Chinese in America, she is acutely aware of the difficulties and challenges faced by immigrant communities. Therefore, as the only photographer, she participated in the anti-human trafficking charity organization, using her lens to document and showcase the lives and challenges of immigrants, calling for the prevention of human trafficking and bringing these marginalized faces to a wider audience. Her current documentary project, "Inventing Love," is a tribute to the love life of American immigrants, telling their stories through her lens.
Yoli's story is one of relentless pursuit, a perfect interweaving of creativity and technique, and a vivid depiction of deep humanistic care. Her artistic works transcend the boundaries of time and space, becoming an eternal witness, recording the nuances of human life, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the world.
In an era of digitalization and rapid change, Yoli's steadfastness and thoughtfulness are inspiring. Her lens captures not just images but souls; her creativity is not just expressed in her works but is a way of life. Her continuous exploration and innovation offer us a visual spectacle, inspiring us to think, feel, and act.
