Untitled, 2013 © Ren Hang

The political situation in China and the dynamics of the country are very close to censorship but Ren Hang listened more to his heart because taking pictures was the only way to scape boredom and find a path in life. “My art is not trying to intrude into the politics of China, it is the politics of China that is intruding into my art. I do this pictures because life would be so boring without shooting them but I have no specific goals,” says Ren Hang who carefully points out that he is not trying to politicize his art.

Untitled, 2016 © Ren Hang

Despite the situation in his home nation, Ren Hang has worked internationally exhibiting in a number of countries around the globe and contributing to some of the A-list magazines available. Basically, since 2009 he barely stopped touring exhibiting and working internationally.

Untitled, 2016 © Ren Hang

It is very sad and intriguing that Ren Hang decided commit suicide now that he had achieved a successful career acquiring international recognition as a photographer and artist. At Fotografiska would be probably one of the biggest exhibits in his career to date – the team at Fotografiska explained us his tragic death is a big loss for all of them. Ren Hang’s book has been just released in Taschen (it was not even available in many places when Ren killed himself). To get your art published by Taschen is an enormous achievement for any artist, which for some reason Ren did not want to enjoy. To be an artist with the guts of killing yourself when experiencing the most successful period of your career so far is a very striking move. Ren Hang was also a poet. You can read his work at his website and there is even an essay about his depression. Arguably, most of the poets find suicide as a romantic act.

Ren Hang “Human Love”
Date: February 17th – April 2nd 2017
Opening Hours: 9:00 – 23:00 (Thursday – Saturday till 01:00)
Place: Fotografiska
Address: Stadsgårdshamnen 22, 116 45 Stockholm
Tel: +46 8 50 900 500
Admission: Adults SEK 130, Students and Seniors SEK 100, Children under the age of 12 Free
https://fotografiska.eu