Shiyao Xia’s work is a profound exploration of memory, identity, and the ephemeral nature of experiences. The unique approach involves a dynamic interplay of different mediums, creating a layered narrative that reflects both personal and collective memories. In her project Pieces of Thames, She masterfully intertwines photography and printmaking to capture the river’s essence, transforming it into a metaphor for life’s journey and the intersection of past and present.
The journey of the river begins with three prints that combine inkjet printing and monotype, each depicting a different scene—Boats, Park, and The River. These prints encapsulate small moments along the Thames, each one unique yet interconnected, contributing to a mysterious and evocative narrative.
The first panel portrays a ghostly shoreline, where faint, ethereal outlines of structures and boats evoke a sense of distant echoes and forgotten memories. In contrast, the second panel— delicate depiction of blossoming trees symbolizes life, growth, and fleeting beauty. The soft pink hues and intricate detailing imbue the scene with a fragility that echoes the transience of time.
Finally, the third panel immerses the viewer in a starlit night, where the faint outlines of boats drifting across a dark, expansive sea suggest both physical and metaphorical journeys. The night sky, peppered with stars, introduces a celestial dimension, hinting at the vastness of the universe and the insignificance of individual existence.
Shiyao’s use of muted colors and layered textures lends the work a dreamlike quality, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the interplay of light, shadow, reality, and memory. This ethereal aesthetic suggests an ongoing dialogue between the seen and unseen, the remembered and the forgotten.
“When I came to London, the Thames became a reflection of who I used to be.
Through conversations with others, I discovered that none of them had been born and raised here.
Old and new memories intertwined as they shared their stories.
What traces have these flowing memories left behind as they change and dissipate along this still river?
What happens when we blur the line between past and present?
Transparent paper was used to illustrate how memories overlap through time.
Repeated descriptions of words—symbols belonging to those people—are found at the bottom.”
This mixed-media work integrates photography with transparent layers, creating a dreamlike and ephemeral quality. The three distinct yet interconnected images evoke a sense of nostalgia and fragmented memories, each panel offering a glimpse into different moments and places.
Shiyao’s technique of layering photographs challenges the viewer to look beyond the surface and discover the underlying narratives. This method not only adds depth to the visual experience but also encourages a deeper engagement with the themes of time and memory. The choice of soft, muted colors further enhances the ethereal quality of the work, creating a harmonious and reflective mood.
For Shiyao, memory is not static; rather, it evolves with each recollection. As she explains, “We recall an event from the past again and again, but never in the same way twice. Memories are intertwined with the present, and each time we recall them, they shift, influenced by our current context.” She sees memory as a dynamic force, where the passage of time is experienced differently in the mind than in the physical world. By repeatedly reconstructing these memories, Xia explores the ways in which they inform both her current identity and her perception of the world.
Through her layering of photographs with blurring and texture, Xia strives to convey the temporal dimension of memory. She likens this process to the physical decay of time, capturing its passage in a tangible form. While her altered photographs deviate from their original state, they retain a sense of familiarity, reflecting the evolving yet recognizable nature of memory.