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“I recently had a photoshoot of two famous actors in their hotel room, promoting a movie that recently came out. I was supposed to have 30 minutes with them, but they were incredibly rude to my photo assistant and me and ended up leaving after just 3 minutes. I had only managed to get a handful of photos and ended up crying in the hotel bathroom while my assistant helped pack up.”

In Part 2 of our exclusive interview with New York photographer Evelyn Freja, we delve deeper into her journey, exploring the experiences and philosophies that shape her artistic vision. Evelyn opens up about the challenges of working in a highly competitive industry, her approach to capturing genuine moments, and the surprising lessons she’s learned along the way.

Part 1 of Our Exclusive Interview with Evelyn Freja

From memorable photoshoots with high-profile clients to candid insights on navigating rejection, Evelyn shares what it takes to thrive as a full-time artist in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. Her passion, resilience, and authenticity shine through as she reflects on the creative process and the beauty of connecting with her subjects.

How do you continue to grow and develop as a photographer, even after achieving success?

I am surrounded by photographer friends who constantly lift me up and inspire me. I’m also really lucky because my partner of eleven years is a photographer (we met in photo school), and he is a constant source of inspiration and motivation both inside and outside of photography.

Of all the photos you’ve taken, which one is your favorite?

My favorite photographs come not so much from the final product as from the experience. I’ve had shoots where the final photographs weren’t the best, but the time spent with the subject was incredibly joyful. Those experiences translate through to the final photograph.

Can you describe a particularly memorable or challenging shoot and how you handled it?

I recently had a photoshoot of two famous actors in their hotel room, promoting a movie that recently came out. I was supposed to have 30 minutes with them, but they were incredibly rude to my photo assistant and me and ended up leaving after just 3 minutes. I had only managed to get a handful of photos and ended up crying in the hotel bathroom while my assistant helped pack up. It was disheartening, but at the same time, it was a valuable learning experience—not to take things personally or internalize unspoken criticism. At the end of the day, I am so grateful to be able to take photos for a living in New York City.

It takes less than a second to capture a photo, but how much time and effort go into preparing for the perfect shot?

I’ve spent weeks, sometimes months, leading up to shoots, meticulously planning every detail: from lighting to colors to mood to poses. I can obsess over the smallest details, but I’ve also learned that no matter how much planning goes into photoshoots, something will probably almost always go wrong. Photography is as much about planning the shot as it is about staying flexible with any issues that may arise.

What is your philosophy when it comes to capturing the essence of a moment or a subject?

It’s important that I never put too much of myself in my photos. I want the essence of the subject to shine through as the main focal point, but I also understand that having your photo taken isn’t always enjoyable. It’s all about making the subject feel comfortable and at ease while still letting them be the focus.

Is it expensive to pursue photography, and how long did it take you to achieve financial success in this field? What lessons did you learn along the way?

It’s easy to get overly focused on having brand-new equipment, fancy lenses, and expensive lights, but the reality is that photographers don’t need all that. I’ve taken some of my favorite photos on a cheap, beat-up second-hand camera. Photography can be an expensive industry, but when you’re starting out, it’s good to remember that you don’t need high-end equipment to create beautiful art.

Was it difficult to become a full-time photographer, and what risks, challenges, or setbacks have you faced in your career?

The hardest part of being a full-time artist is getting used to rejection and being ignored. It’s natural to want to throw in the towel and quit when you’ve reached out to forty or fifty art directors and editors and only two of them get back to you, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Just keep going, and tune out any negative internal dialogue.

Part 3 is Coming Soon!

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BY Vic Wu | Opinion

Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta, is no stranger to public scrutiny. His latest public endeavor, a statue of his wife Priscilla Chan, has sparked a wave of discussion that transcends mere artistic critique. The 7-foot-tall sculpture, unveiled on Zuckerberg’s Instagram account to his 14.6 million followers, has been met with a mixture of bewilderment and criticism, particularly from within the Asian community. The choice of design and execution has led to concerns that the artwork unintentionally reinforces harmful stereotypes, portraying Chan in a manner that aligns more closely with an alien being than with the classical beauty and reverence traditionally associated with statues of loved ones.

Alienating or Artistic?

The statue in question is striking, though not necessarily for the reasons one might expect. With a greenish-blue complexion and a cold silver, mylar blanket-like, covering that envelops her body, the figure of Priscilla Chan exudes an otherworldly aura. The emotionless expression on her face, coupled with the alien-like aesthetic, has led some to draw parallels between the statue and the caricatures often used to depict Asian individuals as “other” in Western media. This perception is further compounded by the statue’s resemblance to common depictions of extraterrestrial beings, inadvertently aligning with the unfortunate stereotype of Asians as outsiders.

The critique here isn’t solely based on the visual qualities of the statue but rather on the cultural implications that arise from it. In a time when the representation of Asians in media is scrutinized for its accuracy and sensitivity, the statue’s portrayal of Chan as an alien figure is seen by some as tone-deaf, despite any good intentions behind its creation. This concern is amplified by the context of ongoing discussions about the portrayal of Asians in popular culture, where they are frequently depicted as villains or as fundamentally different from the mainstream.

A Nod to Roman Tradition?

​​”Bringing back the Roman tradition of sculpting your wife,” Mark Zuckerberg wrote on Instagram when unveiling this unusual work of art to the world.

Zuckerberg’s decision to commission a statue of his wife is indeed reminiscent of the practices of wealthy Romans, who often commissioned sculptures to celebrate their wives’ beauty and elevate their status. However, while Roman statues aimed to glorify and idealize the subject, Zuckerberg’s statue diverges sharply from this tradition. Classical Roman sculptures were designed to evoke reverence and admiration, often depicting the subject in a godly or divine manner. In contrast, the statue of Chan, with its alien-like features, evokes confusion and detachment rather than admiration.

This raises an important question: how does this modern interpretation of a classical tradition reflect on its subject? Although Chan responded on Instagram with the comment, “The more of me, the better?” one doesn’t get the sense that she was entirely pleased with the artwork. It’s likely that most women would prefer not to be immortalized in such an “alien” way.

While the statue was undoubtedly intended as a personal gift, its public display invites widespread interpretation and critique. The Washington Post remarked, ‘Daniel Arsham’s statue of Priscilla Chan is bad,‘ while The San Francisco Standard suggested, ‘It’s a safe bet that it won’t be among the top bid items whenever the Chan-Zuckerberg estate hits auction.’ Meanwhile, Business Insider quoted a therapist who called it a ‘red flag.’ This reception suggests that the artistic endeavor may have missed the mark, failing to capture the essence traditionally associated with such statues.

A Missed Opportunity

When a public figure like Zuckerberg shares a personal gift on such a wide platform, it inevitably crosses the boundary from private to public. By sharing the statue with tens of millions, Zuckerberg has opened the door to public discourse, and with it, the responsibility to consider the broader cultural implications of his choices. The Asian community, in particular, may feel alienated by this representation, seeing it as yet another instance of being portrayed as different or other.

This could have been an opportunity for Zuckerberg to commission a work that not only honored his wife but also celebrated her heritage in a meaningful way. Asia boasts a rich tradition of sculpture, with artists capable of creating intricate and awe-inspiring works. A collaboration with a renowned Asian sculptor could have produced a piece that reflected both the beauty and strength of Chan, while also embodying cultural pride and artistic excellence.

For instance, Chinese artist Luo Li Rong creates life-size bronze sculptures of women, drawing inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque techniques. As Bored Panda notes, “Her statues are often captured in motion, with their dresses or garments seemingly fluttering in the breeze around them, and the artist’s meticulous attention to detail ensures that every crease and fold is precisely where it should be.”

There are many artists of Rong’s caliber across Asia who could have turned Priscilla Chan into a beautiful bronze masterpiece, far surpassing Daniel Arsham’s greenish-blue effigy.

A Question of Sensitivity

While Mark Zuckerberg’s statue of Priscilla Chan may have been intended as a personal and meaningful gift, its public unveiling has invited criticism that cannot be ignored. The statue’s alien-like aesthetic, combined with its broader cultural implications, suggests that this was a missed opportunity to create a work of art that truly honors its subject. Instead of celebrating Chan’s identity and heritage, the statue risks perpetuating harmful stereotypes and alienating the very community it might have sought to uplift.

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The World Art News (WAN) is not liable for the content of this publication. All statements and views expressed herein are opinions only. Act at your own risk. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. © The World Art News

The post Does Mark Zuckerberg’s Statue of His Wife Alienate the Asian Community? appeared first on World Art News.