Cecilia Yanqi Chen

ceciliachany0718@gmail.com

Instagram: ceciliachany

In Search Of Lost Time

My project, In Search of Lost Time, delves into rediscovering past memories in reality, echoing my love for life. Although it revolves around my own memories, by obscuring photo locations I aim for viewers to find their own memories within, reflecting an idealistic, colourful society.

Named after a book that profoundly impacted my artistic sense in my early twenties, recalling lost time intertwines with my upbringing. Born in Beijing, I moved to Canada at 15, then settled in the UK, spending most of the past decade alone. The transient environment often leaves me feeling rootless, like I’ve lived everywhere but belong nowhere. Immersed in films and books, I temporarily escape reality. This project offers a utopian haven, a personal gift, where we evade real-world conflicts and pressures.