“I’d love to have sex with all the models that I’ve shot—the urge to shoot nudity probably originates from my own impulses,” -Ren Hang
China and Censorship
Ren Hang was born in Chang Chun, China in 1987. The province where he grew up borders North Korea and Russia. Known for its booming automotive industry, Chang Chun is “China’s Detroit.” Hang most likely had a highly stimulating and active upbringing in the city. He gained fame primarily for his nude photographic portraits of his friends. His work sheds light on the hidden world of Chinese sexuality, capturing the essence of a society constrained by societal rules. In China, the General Administration of Press and Publication grants licenses for publishing books, while also reviewing all forms of media. Article 68 of the Law of People’s Republic of China prohibits the production and distribution of pornography. The authorities of the People’s Republic of China arrested Ren Hang on multiple occasions.
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Basic Views and Books by Ren Hang
During an interview with Daze magazine, Hang mentioned he doesn’t intentionally push boundaries; he simply takes photos. He doesn’t regard his work as taboo or contemplate its cultural or political implications. Many people recognize and accept that both nudity and sexuality are intrinsic aspects of human nature, making them globally common and valid themes. Hang’s collection of books includes Son and Bitch (2013), The Brightest Light Runs Too Fast (2014), Physical Borderline: Ren Hang Photography (2014), and the forthcoming Ren Hang: For My Mother, set to be released in October 2024. Hang’s portfolio includes collaborations with fashion giants such as Gucci, Rick Owens, and Loewe.
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Impressions
Hang’s work reflects the experiences of his generation and the vibrant youth culture in China. His photos represent a strong desire for individual freedom. As Hang focuses his lens on his friends, brilliant ideas flood his mind, guiding his photographic process. Ren Hang finds inspiration in Japanese artists, Nobuyoshi Araki and Shuji Terayama, both well-known Japanese photographers
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In the deluxe Premium edition you can check out more about what Hang and Nobuyoshi Araki's photography have in common, the influence of the Japanese poet Shuji Terayama to his photography and poetry, three of his poems and more of his (female) nudes.
Click HERE for the lively nude photography of the Lowbrow artist Coop
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