The Four Notions
Inspired by the Four Notions described in the Diamond Sutra—self, people, sentient beings, and lifespan—this body of work explores how identity is constructed, perceived, and transformed through images, materials, and time. Rather than illustrating Buddhist concepts directly, each work approaches one notion through a different photographic process, examining the instability of the self and the shifting relationship between individuals, others, and the world.
Notion of People
Guangzhou, 2020
Photography
Material: film photography, kallitype print
Photographs of arhat figures are presented through the historical process of kallitype printing. Each expression appears distinct, yet none can be reduced to a single emotional state. By focusing on subtle variations of facial expression, the work reflects on how we perceive others and project meaning onto them. The image of “people” emerges not as a stable category, but as a fluid relationship between observation, empathy, and interpretation.