This project takes place in Shanghai, China. I began by documenting my experience temporarily living with a close friend and mentor of mine, Chen Zhou. Chen and I met in a very serendipitous fashion. Five years ago we sat next to each other on a flight heading to NYC and since then our paths have been intertwined both creatively and personally. This project has developed into a vicarious approach to a family-focused atmosphere, something which I have lacked in my own upbringing. Through this experience I have been able to explore Chinese traditions practiced by Frank and his family and those close acquaintances they have introduced me to. From the eccentric ways they organize family meals to legalities relating to family hierarchies, I've learned to appreciate the vast differences in cultural approaches in China compared to those I am accustomed to here in America.
Since the development of this project, I've made the personal investment to fly myself out once a year whilst covering the costs of film, film processing, and post production. I have a ten year visa that expires in 2025 and I plan on continuing this body of work.
Portrait of Chen 2020
Chen's Desk
Chen Reading Robert Hermans book
Another one of Chen's Desk
Chen's Studio Desk
Chen's House Maid Sha making soup for us
Lorcci
Lorcci's growth in height over the years
Lorcci showing Chen & I his drumming skills
Spending some time playing games with lorcci
Frank making Kopi Luwak coffee for us
At a hotel in Dalian with Chen & his mother
Eating lunch with Chen & his mother; Chen's mother is selling a apartment in Dalian & Chen's marriage license was tied into the apartment but his mother didn't know about his recent divorce
Back in Hongkou at Chen's studio
2020
Chens mother cooking
Chen's family, Wife, In-law's & son
Chen father fishing
Chens father making dumpings
waiting to pick Lorcci up from school
watching Lorcci's piano class from a screen along with other parents & Chen
First arrived in Pudong Airport. 2017
Leaving Airport
Chen's mother in law helping me make dumpling soup
Chens mother in law cleaning the balcony
View from balcony
View from balcony
Chen's home
Lorcci being taken care of the house maid Sha
Chen counting with his son Lorcci in mandarin
Playing with Lorcci & his toys
Lorcci crying because he wants to be with his grandmother
Chens mother in law & Lorcci
Er qi with his wife and daughter Yu mi
Outing at bar with Chen & Friends.2017
Three Generations of Zhou's
Lorcci
Chen invited me to travel with him to Suzhou while he was covering a shoot for a steel company. His client was a steel company that was creating multiple soccer stadiums
Back home in with Chen & his mother
Woke up to this note & boiled egg from Chen
Chen getting a hair cut before his solo exhibition
Frank Preparing his prints for his solo exhibiton at The Fine Arts College Of Shanghai
Self portrait in print shops Bathroom. 2017
2017
2017
2017
Chen & his Mother. 2017
Lorcci & Chen
2017
Flight to pudong airport
First time arriving in shanghai; at pudong airport
Chen & Lorcci
