Qiu Shuying

Qiu Shuying is a Chinese photographer and visual artist based in Beijing. She is best known for her work exploring the relationship between people and their environment, often through the lens of traditional Chinese culture.

Born in Beijing in 1982, Qiu Shuying developed an interest in photography at an early age. She studied photography at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, graduating with a degree in photography and video art. After graduation, she worked as a freelance photographer for various publications and organizations, including National Geographic China and the China Photographers Association.

In 2010, Qiu Shuying began to focus on her own personal projects, exploring themes such as identity, memory, and the changing landscape of modern China. Her work has been exhibited internationally at galleries and museums such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai (MOCA), the Guangdong Museum of Art (GMOA), and the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York City.

Qiu Shuying’s work has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, TIME Magazine, Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar China, and many more. In 2017 she was awarded the prestigious Prix Pictet Award for her series “The Great Wall” which explored how traditional Chinese culture is being transformed by rapid urbanization.

Qiu Shuying continues to explore themes related to identity and memory through her photography today. Her work has been described as “a visual exploration of how we remember our past while living in a rapidly changing present”.