Zhang Jingna I discovered Zhang Jingna 's photography more or less a year ago. I use the word discovery because looking at her work seemed like landing in a new world for me. I used to love a kind of photography very different from fashion: what I wanted from a shoot was to be a witness of its times, that's why I paid my attention to the various classic reporters of the 20th century: Robert Capa, Henri Cartier Bresson, Margaret Bourke White, etc.
And, being a lover of figurative art of the second half of 1800s, I thought was nearly impossible to translate the spirit of that times in photography.
Well, I was wrong.
The young and talented Jingna (OMG, she's only 22 and already has such experience!) is a unique blend of Pre-Raphaelitism, Symbolism, Vienna Secession and glamour viewed with a modern eye: it's not a coincidence if she currently works with some of the most important fashion magazines like Harper's Bazaar and Elle . You cannot work with that kind of people if you don't keep in mind that every source of your inspiration has to be reinvented. That's what Jingna does. She created the "art for art' sake" according to our time needs .
Take a look to some of her photos.
I loved how she recreated the Waterhouse and Botticelli feelings, the way she captures beauty and makes it modern and "ageless" at the same time!
I also love many of her Sugizo shoots, where she captures the romantic leit-motiv of the gifted, tormented, almost devilish, Paganini-like violinist. I'm probably wrong, but this photo makes me think to a sort of metaphoric self-portrait.
Being a gamer and and a manga/anime lover, it doesn't come as a suprise that she loves the genius of Yoshitaka Amano: I'd like to know what she thinks of Amano work in "Sandman: The Dream Hunters", which is another cultural mix of Japanese and European influences that she seems to appreciate and understand perfectly.
But make no mistake: when you think her most comfortable field is that of complex, full of decorations and medieval horror vacui compositions, she will surprise you again with her gift for simple and tought-provoking portraits.
I could spend a whole week writing about her art and posting her photos, but the only way you have to enjoy her art is visit her websites and her exibitions (for the lucky people who can travel a lot...).
It's a love it or love it choice. No other options allowed :)
References:
Website
Blog
Facebook page
As you can imagine, all photos are copyright of Zhang Jingna .
POSTSCRIPT: Jingna dear, if you find there's an improper use of your photos in this post, please drop a line and I'll remove Them.
