In her black-and-white photography, Tara Li-An (b.1979) explores the intersection of fractured narratives and the malleability of memory. Practising in the penumbra of formal portraiture, she seeks to capture the intimate moments between moments that shape us as humans and the parts of ourselves we choose to share. Tara is drawn to stories that reflect a sense of commonality and community, images that capture lived experiences and help shape our understanding of ourselves and others. However, a photograph is often a subjective impression reflecting what the photographer sees. No matter how hard we try to truly feel the subject or situation, and break down the me-and-you barrier, ultimately the work becomes a portrait of ourselves. Reflecting on Berger's analysis in “Ways of Seeing” (1972) Tara acknowledges that our perception of images is not neutral; personal, social and cultural contexts shape it. It is through her own positionality as a migratory mixed-race Chinese queer woman, that her approach to photography has developed.
