I was born in China, while my partner, Chris, who is twenty years older, was born in the United States and later established his life and career in China. Chris went out of his home two decades ago and was fully accepted. But, I have not been able to disclose my sexual preference to my conservative family. As we began building our own family, cultural differences became increasingly evident.
In 2024, I had the opportunity to explore these contrasts in lifestyle and values through time spent in both China and the US. From April to May, I lived with my parents in Jiepai, Jiangsu Province, documenting daily life and the local environment. In June, Chris and I visited his family in Rapidan, Virginia, where we stayed for two months. During this period, Chris’s mother passed away. Between June and October, I also captured moments reflecting my relationship with Chris.
This project draws from family archive photos as well as my own photographs and journal entries created during 2024, providing a detailed record of the dynamics between these three families, shaped by their connections across cultures, generations, and life experiences.
