Veron Sung（Photo-based Cross Disciplinary Artist）：Photography is often overlooked by people. “A picture is worth a thousand words”, as the saying goes. When a photographer narrates effectively, you can see the whole story from just a single photo. My name is Veron Sung. I am a cross-disciplinary visual artist. I met a Shenzhen-based artist during the 2022 Biennale. So when I came to Shenzhen, this artist recommended that I took up this residency.

Mai Ping (Illustrator):Introverted was my first impression of Veron, she was a bit shy about integrating into our community.

Veron: Every art style is a medium. People may be more familiar with illustrations, sculptures, mixed media, installations, etc. I work across all of these disciplines. When photography is introduced to these mediums, it becomes a whole new creation. Using two dimensional photos while creating a 3D effect with it.

Mai Ping: Her aesthetic sense, along with her experience and knowledge, is on another level. I once asked her about how much money she can make selling her 3D photos? But this is not what she was concerned with. She said art itself is her pursuit. When she makes her art, it is not for money.

Veron: I grew up in Hong Kong. I studied art abroad and it was convenient to travel around different European countries. The more I saw, the more I came to understand who I really was. Because I grew up in Hong Kong, I wanted to learn even more about the place where I grew up. My story is also Hong Kong’s story. The pace of development is so rapid in Hong Kong. So a lot of historical buildings disappear and the number of old shops diminishes over time. Every time I return to Hong Kong for a holiday, I am overwhelmed with this sense of rapid change. When I take photograph of the little details, I would have immediately uncover their stories and this is why I choose to record them. Even though this art village is not big, people who come from all over China are gathered here. When you’re here you get to learn about how artists from different places work. The village has a friendlier atmosphere. When compared to the high-rises in the city center, people often drop by each other’s places.There’s no need to make an appointment. You just walk in, I find it very enjoyable. A lot of places in Shenzhen share the same names as places in Hong Kong. For example, the closest metro station to me is called Lei Yue Mun. This village is called Sheung Wai. There is actually also a Tai Wai and a Sha Tin. It must have all originated from the same roots, so that we have so many similar names. We have many walled villages in Yuen Long and, likewise, there are many in Shenzhen too. They are called walled houses. The architecture is a little different, but they are conceptually the same—It is a residence built for a big family with walls to surroundand and protect their own place of living.

Ren Lei(Curator): Previously, we put on an exhibition called ‘Art Residency Festival Pan Long Shiju’. We invited around 19 artists who were active in Shenzhen across different disciplines. We engaged with the idea of residing in this specific place and made use of materials and elements found in this space, from its history and from our vicinity to create the works. I think this work by Veron responds to this place particularly well. A flat photo becomes three dimensional, at the same time, she has added an international flavor to it. Her asthetic sense creates a special chemistry with ‘international’ flavour.

Veron: Art was never an easy thing to do. Being a female artist is also not easy. There are always limitations no matter what we do. Not only in art, or in photography, but in every industry. We have chosen this path certainly not because it’s easy. But there are hopes and opportunities. There are people who have been able to make their way.