Amidst the COVID pandemic, we facetime with photographer Hugo Yu to talk about his work and vision; a welcome distraction especially on a day like today when, being from Chinese descent and currently living in New York, his mind is a rollercoaster.

Q
Both in your street photography as well as your studio work your signature is omni-present; there’s a strong use of colour, refined compositions, elevating everyday objects or scenes. How would you yourself describe your work in 3 words?
A
Quiet, serene... and the third one I need to think about. I guess nostalgic, as it reflects both good and bad. What I’m trying to say is that my work reflects on a moment, and it can be sad knowing that a good moment has passed. Perhaps melancholic is a better word?

Q
Would you consider your work to be reflective of your Chinese roots and NYC life?
A
There is this very strict and rigid aspect to the way I work. I think this comes from my upbringing in Shanghai, and Chinese culture in general. I think my time in NYC has let me explore my point of view as an individual. And develop my own selfnexpression in my work —chinese culture is very focused on the collective, where american culture is focused on the individual.

Q
Is that also what you hope people see in your work?
A
I hope people can connect to my work. I don’t want to tell too much about my work and what it means to me personally, since I want people to find their own meaning to my work. I like my work to raise a question without answering it.