Leslie Shang

Cypress Slope

Jun 08, 2022

Leslie is a Chinese designer and photographer who initially picked up the camera inspired by Japanese photographers such as Eikoh Hosoe, Nobuyoshi Araki and Daido Moriyama. In his series ‘Cypress Slope’, Leslie recounts the story of his family that has lived in this traditional eponymous village for four generations. Through images, found imagery, letters and other media, Leslie cleverly conveys the atmosphere of this quiet environment and makes us think about our own origins.

First of all thank you very much for your contribution to our project. Can you please introduce yourself for us?

I was born in a small village in Baoji, Shaanxi province in western China. I majored in design. After I resigned three years ago, I chose to do art photography and am now a freelancer.

How did you start in photography?

I first came in contact with photography during my job, later as the choice for my career direction. Photography really invites me into self-study. Seeing the works of Japanese photographers such as Eikoh Hosoe, Nobuyoshi Araki and Daido Moriyama creates a process of self quest. Their work bring me resonance and comfort.

What is 'Cypress Slope' about?

‘Cypress Slope’ is a true story of an ordinary family in western China. I started shooting it in 2020. Through the research of my own family history and the arrangement of family materials such as letters, video screenshots, interviews and surveys, the life experience of four generations is linked together, and the life of ordinary Chinese families in past and modern centuries is narrated.

What inspired you to make this series?

After many years away from home, I came back to the place where I was born. The strangeness and kindness in front of me began to sink into memories and I also began to understand all the stories about my family!

Who are your favourite photographers / artists?

Karl Blossfeldt.

What is your favourite photo book?

Paul Graham’s, ‘Mother’.

Thank you very much for your time and your contribution to analog magazine.

Thank you!