Based in Guangzhou, China, b.1992

Jiayi Chen is a photographic artist whose practice investigates the visual possibilities of mythology and vernacular memory. Educated at Cambridge College of Art and later at the University of the Arts London (School of Communication, Photography), Chen draws deeply from southern Chinese folklore and ethnic mythologies to construct richly symbolic image-worlds.

Motivated by a primal desire to reconnect with the earth, Chen’s work transcends the mere documentation of mythological figures. Instead, he constructs theatrical, immersive environments that fuse lighting, staged photography, and symbolic codes to reinterpret ancient narratives within a contemporary framework.

By shifting from literal allegory to archetypal resonance, Chen’s practice explores the enduring mythic spirit embedded in place and imagination—crafting visual languages that speak to cultural continuity, collective memory, and the emotional landscapes of identity.