Tiya Xu


Documentary

Fashion

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Tiya Xu


Documentary

Fashion
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02.
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06.
Marginalia
Fade Away Pastoral
Still Life
Heya
Semper Femina
Odd Girl Out
Girls, a Jetta, and open road
02. (1)Womb, Shell, Skin

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Still life
2024


'like a bird hatching from an egg'.


Christianity adopted eggs as a symbol of fertility, resurrection, and eternal life. From the outside, eggs appear stone cold, yet inside they nurture young life.
    














02. (2)Flowery

Chengdu
Still-life, Portrait2024


This series explores the fluid intersection of strength and softness, inspired by the physicality of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete Romell. His body, both resilient and supple, embodies the philosophy of yielding to overcome—where flexibility triumphs over force. By drawing parallels between the organic curves of his form and the delicate yet persistent nature of flowers, the images challenge conventional notions of masculinity, revealing its quiet grace and vulnerability.

Inspired by the sculptural beauty of the human body, this work reflects on the shifting boundaries of gender, strength, and aesthetics. Through soft light and organic compositions, it seeks to redefine the classic ideals of beauty, embracing fluidity in both body and identity.









02. (3)The Blue Ribbon

London, UK
Fine art, Conceptual, Still Life, Typology
2024


In this photography series, I use objects like petals, a wig, toys, and princess party hats to convey women’s suppressed inner worlds and the societal discipline imposed on them. Each object serves as a metaphor for the roles and expectations women passively inherit, reflecting the struggle between self-discovery and societal compromise.

The objects placed on windowsills symbolize a state of transition, standing between past environments and construct new identity. This “in-between” stage hints at a subtle sense of loss and isolation, much like Sofia Coppola’s characters who feel constrained yet yearn for self-exploration. Through this work, I capture the tension—an inner resistance alongside the weight of expectations—that reflects women’s search for identity within a repressive framework.


I started thinking about creating a photography series using ribbons. I find the material properties of ribbons very appealing. They are typically seen as feminine decorations, but in fact, they can also function as supportive materials like ropes.

Ribbons symbolize both female constraints and, at the same time, can represent connection, collaboration, strength, freedom, elegance, and more. So, I bought a lot of ribbons to conduct some experiments.

This series uses ribbons to explore their metaphorical significance in women’s growth. Historically linked to femininity and decoration, ribbons symbolize softness and adornment. In this work, I use their decorative nature to metaphorically represent women consumed and trapped by traditional female imagery. I employ dim lighting and tones inspired by Sofia Coppola’s style to depict the suffocating feeling of women trapped by ultra-femininity.