Mingfei Liu

A Foreign Land, a Familiar Warmth

As an international student, I unexpectedly found warmth and support in this course (MA Photography Practice). The teaching team was at the heart of the experience — their professionalism and dedication allowed us the freedom to explore creatively. From foundational photography knowledge to programming and 3D imaging, each one-on-one tutorial felt like a deep conversation, full of insight and respect. 

Beyond the classroom, the course fostered a rich and inclusive creative environment that encouraged experimentation and cross-disciplinary work.

In my final project The Sense of Resemblance and Spirit, I was able to combine photography with interactive installation, a possibility I had never imagined before.

The technical skills and critical thinking cultivated throughout the course have profoundly influenced my approach to image-making today, allowing me to transform personal experiences into works with social depth. 

Project Description – The Sense of Resemblance and Spirit

This multimedia art exhibition, based on the artist's observation of social phenomena, deeply explores the impact of gender roles and patriarchy on women.

Using collage, video, and interactive installations, the works reveal the roles of female in family and society, highlighting the resulting limitations and objectification. Presented as a furniture store, the pieces are constructed from parts of the female body and sold at the lowest discounted prices, symbolizing the devaluation and objectification of women by society.

Each furniture piece carries symbolic meaning: mirrors depict the distortion of gender identity by social perception; sofas represent the constraints of traditional family roles; carpets highlight gender inequality, visually showcasing the prevalence and severity of the issue.