Chinese photographer Ren Hang, born in 1987, committed suicide on February 24, 2017. Foam, the museum of photography in Amsterdam, who exhibits him until March 12, issued a statement: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Ren Hang. It is a great honour for Foam to present Ren Hang’s exceptional work until 12 March 2017 in Foam 3h. Our thoughts and sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends.”
For a few years, Ren Hang had been exploring nudity and eroticism by photographing naked bodies, male and female sexes, intimate close-ups, interaction between female and male bodies, and a natural world under the influence of human civilization. Ren Hang liked to explore how natural objects identify with the body, to examine the formal situations that emerge between the two, focusing in particular on the complex perspective of human and natural world.
Decried by the Chinese intelligentsia, his work has had an international impact and Ren Hang has counted numerous exhibitions to his credit, notably at the Rencontres d’Arles, in France, among other prestigious places. His photographs will remain as controversial as charming: “I like to photograph my models because they trust me, which allows me to be more relaxed; working with strangers makes me nervous, ” he once told Vice magazine. ” The political ideas expressed in my images have nothing to do with China. It is the Chinese policy that wants to be introduced into my art. One of my exhibitions has already been canceled by the Chinese government for suspicion of sex. ”
