Born in 1983 in China, Li Xiang graduated from the Beijing Film Academy with a major in Film and Television Advertising. Widely recognized as a writer and poet, Li Xiang is known for his evocative photographic work that resonates deeply within Chinese subculture and youth culture circles.
Li began his photographic journey in 2008, focusing on contemporary Chinese subcultures, exploring the body as a powerful weapon, and investigating reality as the bedrock of existence. His work defies conventional definitions, constantly challenging labels and artistic boundaries, aiming to carve out new spaces of expression.
In recent years, Li’s art has centered on reclaiming the identities of individuals "materialized" or objectified by societal norms. He employs an array of mediums—photography, text, handcrafting, and painting—to bring his vision to life. In his latest solo exhibition, *Suddenly Retreating Desire*, he invites young people from across the globe to reveal their authentic selves in front of the camera. Transforming Polaroids into hand-crafted, reconstructed pieces, he breaks free from the confines of traditional formats, seamlessly blending photography and painting.
For Li, the body is more than a mere object—it is a vessel for emotions, a site of resistance, and a statement of freedom. "I see that every person’s body is filled with gunpowder, and in the suffocating air, photography becomes the fuse. Let it explode; there is no other way. A kaleidoscope of colors," he says, reflecting his belief that nudity represents liberation, unbound by standards of beauty or ugliness.
Li Xiang’s published works include *Rainbow Nudes*, *Six-Flavor Rehmannia*, *Ten Fragrant Soft Sinews* (Polaroid photography collections), *Wild wind* (*Perversions*), MBS selected photo cards, *Your Life 3000*, and the novel *Summer's Lethargy*. His unique voice spans photography, prose, and poetry, offering a vivid, raw perspective on human vulnerability, identity, and rebellion.
With every frame, word, and brushstroke, Li Xiang captures the vitality and complexity of a world in flux, leaving behind a body of work that challenges perceptions and inspires new ways of understanding ourselves and our surroundings.
For more information about his works.
