Jay Tang's Abstract Photography Bridges Memory and Migration

Amsterdam-based photographer Jay Tang, born in the Netherlands to Hong Kong parents, explores migration, memory, and cultural inheritance through abstract photographic series such as "Everyday Landscapes" and the triptych "Thoughts About Home." His work, developed during his photography studies, uses simple materials like white paper and tissues under controlled lighting to evoke traditional Chinese landscape painting. The series "Drop Shadow" marked a turning point, leading to compositions that resemble distant horizons. Tang's practice is influenced by Dutch artist M.C. Escher, particularly in perception and visual illusion. A recent trip to Paris generated new concepts. A forthcoming two-piece artwork draws from an ancient Chinese tale of a woman turning to stone while waiting for her husband. Tang's project "Son, this is your home" (2015), created for the Keep an Eye Fotovakschool Grant, documented his father's village to preserve heritage for his children. His work balances intimacy and abstraction, inviting viewers to project their own experiences while rooted in autobiographical themes of belonging, family history, and cultural continuity.