Please register here: https://forms.gle/4QU7Ac5hP8LLfU25A

Introduction

The negative has been essentially discussed in photography since the invention of photographic film. The process of developing introduced a unique interplay between the negative and the positive, where photographers interpret the unseen to create the visible. For many, the idea of negative space is first encountered in a drawing class, where students are encouraged not to draw the object itself, but to focus on the blank spaces around and between forms. In that moment, it becomes clear that what truly defines an image is often not the subject, but the “absence” that surrounds it.

Through their works, the exhibiting photographers reinterpret the concept of negative space—exploring shadow, void, and absence as a playground for meaning, imbued with emotional resonance and intellectual weight. Whether through light and composition, absence and memory, or experimental processes, their artistic interrogation extends beyond the images themselves, reframing how we perceive our surroundings and inviting us to confront what is often overlooked.

Artists

This exhibition brings together a diverse group connected to the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong, including recent graduates, current students, and distinguished guests.

Among the participants are ZHOU Yi, an acclaimed documentary photographer recognized at the GR Photo Festival 2023 and the Fujifilm Street Photography Competition 2022; LIU Liu (Henry LIU), known for his portraiture and wet plate photography, and recipient of the Best Cinematography award at the 2019 UCI Digital Film Festival; and PO Shaiana is an SCM alumna who has been honoured with both the WMA Graduate Award (Lens-Based Media) 2024 and the Asia One Photographic Awards 2023/24.

The full list of exhibiting artists:
CHAN Chun Lok Scott
JIANG Baolin Melody
LIU Liu Henry
MU Yuxin Ysaline
PO Shaiana
SIN Wing Pong Bosco
SONG Qitian Quentin
WONG Tseng Ling
ZHONG Yu Kwan Jeannie
ZHOU Yi Monday

Apart from the two guest artists and the alumna, all other exhibitors are graduates of the class of 2025 or current students at the School of Creative Media, CityUHK.

Curatorial Team

MU Yuxin Ysaline
Lead Curator & Graphic Designer
SHI Shuai Alex
Editorial Coordinator & Project Manager
JIANG Baolin Melody
Exhibition Designer & Spacial Planning
JIN Yichan Kassie
Social Media Manager & Graphic Design Assistant
ZHONG Yu Kwan Jeannie
Artist Liaison & Exhibition Coordinator

The exhibition is a collaborative effort by all team members, each bringing essential expertise to the curatorial and organizational process.

Producer

Prof. Elke REINHUBER

VISITOR ARRANGEMENTS

1. All visitors entering the University campus must be pre-registered via the University's Visitor Registration System (VRS). The VRS can be accessed via Office Admin under AIMS by departmental staff who have VRS access privileges.

2. Once the visitor's information has been submitted via the VRS, an email will be sent to the visitor with a special QR code attached from the CityU-Visitor Registration System. The visitor must show the QR code and may need to present his/her personal ID to the security staff at campus entrance on the day of the visit. Upon confirmation, the visitor will receive a label valid for the day.

3. For guests who didn't receive the above email with the QR code, please check your spam or junk email folder in case the email was accidentally marked as spam.

4. A single email address cannot be shared with multiple visitors for registration on the same day.

5. Please refer to the Personal Information Collection Statement (PICS) for Visitor Registration System on our university's website: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/fmo/download/Personal%20Information%20Collection%20Statement_VRS.pdf

6. The Organizer/Presenter reserves the right to change, suspend or cancel the Event and Campus Access Policy or amend its terms and conditions at its discretion and to refuse entry to any person without prior notice.