Lao Xie Xie on the Youth in Shanghai

In 2017, we tragically lost the Chinese photographer Ren Hang who had been receiving Western recognition for several years at that point, celebrated for his striking images of the Chinese youth, often posing with unexpected objects and bodies tangled in mesmerising compositions. The combination of nudity and sharp vibrancy against the conservative social values of China made his images all the more appealing, knowing that there’s something deeper beyond just beautiful models and backdrops. During this period, Hang’s name was often accompanied by others like John Yuyi and Lao Xie Xie who both were part of what truly felt like the beginning of a new movement and protest through the visual language. So, in March, when I opened my email inbox and saw an email from the name ‘lao xie xie,’ I immediately responded.

Asking what the intention of his project was, Lao’s reply was very clear and simple. “my project focuses on the Chinese gen-z living in Shanghai, where most kids from other provinces come to work and study. Those kids refuse the discipline of Chinese society but can’t escape as one can in other countries. Their way of rebellion is via online, using a VPN, building a community through Western social media like Instagram, where no other Chinese person can judge or report them to the police.” These words carried more weight over the following weeks as China announced its zero-Covid policy in Shanghai between our email exchanges and for a brief moment, it seemed like we had lost all communication. “We are in a difficult time with this lockdown need to find the energy,” Lao last emailed in April. Despite my response telling him to take his time and wanting to respect his situation, in silence, I felt more impatient than ever, feeling that Lao’s message is exactly what we need right now to remind us of the beauty that is fighting for freedom, and the obstacles we can overcome with a bit of determination.

Whether Lao felt the same telepathically or not, he soon reappeared in my inbox not long after, further detailing his project and sharing his background of how he came to be. First, his name “Lao Xie Xie” is not a real name. Translated to English, it means “Mr Thank You.” His pseudonym allows him to continue his passion for photography without the anxiety of being questioned by the police. He has been capturing the youth through his lens for the past 7 years in Shanghai where he’s based, giving us a firsthand glimpse into the private lives that are commonly hidden under the guise of social morality in China.

Despite explaining to me that his work is “strictly artistic and not a documentary,” it seems unfitting to describe the photographs as simply “artistic” images. For China which highly regards conservative values, the images are set to disrupt these very notions and in doing so, it is in fact a documentation of truth and rebellion. Having achieved a trusting collaboration between Lao Xie Xie as a photographer and the Chinese youth as his model, this particular “artistic” collaboration has become a vital source of inspiration to help realise real dreams, real desires and most importantly, freedom of self-expression.

SLEEK: Given your Western background, what motivated you to start photographing the Chinese youth? How does your generational and cultural upbringing compare to the models?

Lao Xie Xie: China has been my home for the last 7 years and I started my project as a creative outlet from my “ordinary” job. I had some images in my mind that I wanted to make so, I started looking for models and luckily, Instagram helped me out a lot to get in touch with them.

What separates me beyond culture is most certainly the age factor, but I can say that the generation itself in other countries has a much more unscrupulous attitude in terms of social rebellion. But perhaps, in other countries where there is religion, young people grow up with different preconceptions and “freedom” plays in their favour.

S: Being aware of the prejudice and strict social moral codes that exist in Asian culture, your photographs make a powerful statement. How much of it is your own personal commentary? Is there a fear of being reported between the people you collaborate with?

LXX: My project is strictly artistic, and not a documentary, so my POV has more focus on my pictures, then it happens in some way that it reflects the themes of this generation. Let’s say 70% Lao Xie Xie style, 30% generation view.

If I had been Chinese of the same age, I certainly would not have obtained their trust, both for fear of social judgment and for fear of being reported to the authorities, let’s not forget that in China, spying on incorrect behaviour is a thing socially appreciated and very common.

S: You leave an air of mystery photographing under the name ‘Lao Xie Xie,’ which protects your identity from the police, but is there ever an artistic concern that your real identity could change the way we perceive these images?

LXX: I believe in the power of free interpretation, I don’t like giving an overly rational explanation to an artwork, I prefer that the user see what he believes best and let himself go to the emotions that art gives him. Of course, my background influences my stylistic choices but specifically, I believe that nationality is an aspect that presents but is not the most important one. Here, I think curiosity is the only important thing in the end.

S: Nudity is prevalent in your series and intentionally plays a rebellious role against conservatism. Do you see a shift in mindset as a result of this over the years?

LXX: Each revolution of customs passes through the freedom of pleasures, from sex to drugs, etc, to then stabilise and become part of society, being free to express one’s sexuality naturally makes individuals free to be what they are, and this involves open-mindedness that the Chinese government do not particularly like. I’ve known more than one person who went to jail for smoking joint or taking photos that went against the censorship. I think that freedom is won with small daily battles.

S: And finally, what does social freedom look like to you?

LXX: I believe that this rebellion knows social network is more a means than an ultimate goal that leads this generation to be more understanding about who is different and use a less governed media to get in touch with people from other countries and different mentalities. In the last 3 years there has been a closure of the country not only territorial but also mental, the locals have accused it a lot. I hope that at least with social media this confrontation between different cultures can lead to a more inclusive future. Especially, after this latest madness in Shanghai.