Jenny Ping Lam Lin
Jenny Ping Lam Lin is a visual artist and curator based in Hong Kong and the UK, who holds a Global Talent Visa. She completed her MA in Art Gallery and Museum Studies at the University of Leeds (2022) and has a BA in Photography.
Jenny Ping Lam Lin combines documentary photography and experimental visual presentation to probe the relationship between the personal and the social. The works of Jenny examine issues related to female identity, education, and social class. Her subjects are usually everyday objects.
Throughout her works, Jenny’s aim is to illustrate how one’s personal growth is influenced by the expectations society places upon them. In particular, Asian women often find themselves caught between tradition and modernity.
Solo Exhibition Programme
Jenny Ping Lam Lin
Beneath the Label
January 2025
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FARM HIERARCHY
2023-2024, Photography, 50x50cm
"FARM HIERARCHY," a photographic series set against the backdrop of a farm. Employing documentary photography and multiple exposures, this collection captures the daily lives of diverse animals on the farm. The images serve as a reflection, drawing parallels between farm animals and human society or, in essence, portraying a microcosm of human society.
While seemingly an egalitarian portrayal of animals, "FARM HIERARCHY" also explores the symbolic power dynamics imposed by farmers, highlighting a constructed hierarchy not reflective of the true nature of the animals.
Through these visual narratives, the artist contemplates the standards and definitions created by humanity in the course of civilization's development, particularly those imposed on non-human entities sharing our planet. The series prompts viewers to question the inherent biases embedded in our perceptions of both civilization and the natural world.
In this series, the term “garbage,” often belittled and misunderstood, serves as the central theme. It functions as both a medium and a metaphor for the hierarchical oppression experienced during one’s formative years—encompassing the pressure exerted by parents, educational institutions, industrial systems, and societal values. Within the educational culture of China, being labeled as “garbage” can instantly invalidate one’s efforts and achievements. Many Asian students, subjected to intense psychological pressure from an early age, are driven to extreme lengths in order to prove their worth and legitimacy within these rigid structures.
2023-2024, Photography, 50x50cm
The Garbage
Just as graduates confront uncertainty and challenges after completing
their studies, these abandoned objects await rediscovery or recognition of their worth.
The confusion and pessimism surrounding their fate mirror the societal labeling and pressure that young people endure in contemporary society.
The focus on electronic waste in landfills highlights how the neatly arranged discarded screens and machines resemble a graduation photo.
Is the term "garbage" inherently sinful? Why is garbage equated with worthlessness? Through documentary photography, this work confronts the realities of garbage, its disposal processes, and the groups handling it. The essence of waste is explored, with overlooked details magnified, questioning the definition of garbage. True classification becomes elusive. Does garbage truly disappear? Clearly not. The journey from being valued to being deemed useless is merely the initial phase of garbage's destiny.
Once in the garbage truck, a journey to the processing site reveals new value for workers and the recycling cycle. This illustrates the fluctuating perceptions of value for both items and individuals.
If meaning is assigned to words, the term "garbage" is redefined in this work. Using photographic results from the first part as raw material, experimentation combines different materials and images to express the vulnerability of East Asian students, whose neat arrangement often masks deeper struggles. Yet, these seemingly valueless entities provide significant value to those whose livelihoods depend on waste management.
Ultimately, the value of a person and the value of garbage may be similar, both defined by human arrogance.
Jenny is a Hong Kong and UK-based visual art artist and curator with a Global Talent visa. She graduated from the University of Leeds in 2022 with an MA in Art Gallery and Museum Studies and holding a BA in Photography.
Jenny's photographic style is characterized by the presentation of documentary images rooted in her senses and vision. She explores diverse experimental methods to showcase images, emphasizing the emotional interplay between images and individuals. Her thematic focus revolves around emotional expression, female growth, and pertinent social issues. Through her unconventional presentation techniques, she prompts viewers to challenge preconceived notions and expand their perspectives.
More About Jenny Ping Lam Lin
My artistic creations centre around ongoing events in the real world, with a particular focus on the subtle emotional changes that occur in everyday life. The social roles of East Asian women and the stratification within society have always been the major influences on my creative process.
In my photographic works, I strive to capture the intricate interplay between my personal experiences and the socio-cultural landscape that has shaped me. Being an Asian woman, I draw inspiration from exploring the nuanced emotions associated with my personal growth, navigating the delicate intersection of tradition and modernity. Through my lens, I aim to portray the multifaceted aspects of being an Asian woman in the contemporary world, while also sharing the complexities of my own personal narrative.
In essence, my work seeks to document the imprints left by societal conventions on the lives. I aim to shed light on the struggles and triumphs of individuals navigating a path between tradition and progress. Through the visual medium, I strive to contribute to the broader dialogue surrounding the human experience and the complex journey of self-discovery. In the ever-changing fabric of life, my photographs serve as reminders of the influences that shape us, leaving a lasting trace of the unique journey of an Asian woman coming of age in the 21st century.
My art explores the impact of societal norms, oppressive education, and social stratification on Asian youth. I focus on the pressures that shape their lives, perpetuating inequality. Through photography,
I hope to capture the effects of expectations, rigidity, and hierarchies on their emotions, particularly for Asian women, revealing their complex experiences in a stratified society.
In my recent series, "The Garbage," I explore the profound impact of oppressive educational systems in Asia on personal growth values. This body of work serves as a visual commentary on the repercussions of a rigid and pressure-laden educational environment that stifles creativity and authentic self-expression. Metaphorically, "The Garbage" captures the discarded dreams, aspirations, and individuality of young minds caught in the relentless pursuit of academic excellence.
—— Jenny Ping Lam Lin