10 Questions with Eagan Hsu

Al-Tiba9 Art Magazine ISSUE17 | Featured Artist

Eagan Hsu (b. 2007, Taipei, Taiwan) is an emerging photographic artist based in Taipei. His work explores the complex web of human emotions, mental health, identity, and the often-overlooked moments of daily life. Eagan's photography spans from candid street portraits to conceptual series, delving into themes like imperfection, memory, and anonymity. For conceptual works, he employs techniques such as slow shutter speed, multiple exposures, and intentional blurring to convey a sense of liminality and the impact of emotions on perception.

Eagan's solo exhibitions include "Extraordinary Within the Ordinary" (2023, Sunsun Museum Taipei) and "Interconnected" (2024, Acta Academy Taipei). His work has been showcased at venues like Independent & Image Art Space Chongqing, The Holy Art Athens, and The Holy Art Tokyo. Eagan has garnered recognition in numerous photography competitions, including the International Photography Awards, Paris International Photography Awards, Analog Sparks Film Photography Awards, and Monochrome Photography Awards.

www.eaganhsu.com | @ea9anhsu

ARTIST STATEMENT

Eagan Hsu's photography explores the ordinary and the fragments of existence that hold profound truths. Driven by a deep fascination with people's emotions and thoughts, he examines themes of mental health, identity, and the fleeting nature of everyday life. In his street portraits, he seeks out candid moments where individuals reveal their true selves. His aim is to capture not just an image but also a feeling—a moment that conveys the essence of human emotions.

Through his lens, he highlights the imperfections and poignancy of daily life, encouraging the audience to pause and notice the often-overlooked aspects of existence. His goal is to present the true essence of the human experience by showcasing the raw and authentic emotions that connect us all. Each photograph serves as a testament to the beauty found in the ordinary, urging viewers to appreciate the subtle yet meaningful moments that shape our lives. By focusing on the candid, he seeks to foster a deeper connection between the viewer and the subject, inviting an intimate exploration of the human experience.

***Untitled***, Digital Photography, 2023 © Eagan Hsu
Abstract play of light and shadow on a plain wall, with bold, intersecting shadows forming geometric shapes. The stark black-and-white contrast enhances a sense of isolation and confinement, while the shadows create boundaries that segment the wall, restricting space and creating visual tension.

AL-TIBA9 ART MAGAZINE ISSUE17

INTERVIEW

Being so young, what initially drew you to photography, and how has your background in Taipei influenced your artistic perspective?

What initially drew me to photography was a fundamental desire to document my surroundings, but over time, it evolved into a means of self-expression. Each image I create not only reflects my perspective but also embodies the intricate interplay between the subject and the photographer. I have come to appreciate photography’s inherent universality; it communicates a visual language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. This attribute underscores photography’s transformative power, as images have the ability to foster connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds without the need for verbal context.
My background in Taipei has essentially shaped this perspective. As Taiwan’s capital, Taipei flaunts a busyness unique to itself, contrasting significantly with the frantic yet harmonious chaos of New York City. Rich in diversity and dynamic narratives, New York City remains one of my favorite environments for exploration. In contrast, Taipei has evolved toward a more homogeneous landscape, where streets and establishments often look the same and follow predictable societal expectations. However, this inspires me to seek the extraordinary within commonplace locations. My philosophy is that the impact of a photograph is never rooted in the equipment used or the location itself but in the photographer’s capacity to capture the essence.

Your work delves deeply into human emotions and identity. How did you become interested in these themes, and what personal experiences have shaped this interest?

My interest in human emotions and identity comes from simple questions I’ve asked myself over time, questions like “Why am I doing this?” or “Why do I react this way?” It’s interesting how we humans have this odd obsession with understanding everything around us, yet often neglect to doubt ourselves. We constantly seek answers to external questions, rarely even considering why we’re driven to understand in the first place.
To me, the pursuit of knowledge ultimately narrows down to the realization that “I don’t know.” This admission isn’t a sign of neglect; it’s honestly a step toward liberation. My point is that you’ll never completely answer every or any question, in a sense. Each answer spawns new questions. Why is that? Perhaps it’s because we don’t fully comprehend our own minds or the source of our desire to understand. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if you happen to understand everything around you. What truly matters is understanding yourself. How can you claim to understand external factors or even your own art when you haven’t explored yourself?
All that we care about and create are essentially extensions of ourselves. Recognizing this is important. And yes, I’m not afraid to admit that I don’t fully understand many aspects of myself or my work. It’s through this vulnerability that we open ourselves to true understanding and growth. This journey of self-discovery and exploration of human emotions isn’t about reaching definitive answers. It’s about embracing the ongoing process of questioning. It’s about realizing that the most complex and bewitching subject we can study is not some complicated thing like quantum physics or the universe, but really, ourselves.

***Amidst***, Digital Photography, 2024 © Eagan Hsu
Chongqing enveloped me in a fog that was more than just visual. It acted as a mirror for a lifelong haze of confusion and distance I've felt toward this land. The city's literal fog, filled with cigarette smoke and the haze from street vendors, blurred the line between what I thought I knew and what I discovered. Amidst, I felt invisible, which was perfect for me to capture the raw, unfiltered moments of Chongqing.

***Phototaxis***, Digital Photography, 2024 © Eagan Hsu
The feeling is a mix of quiet loneliness and subtle pull, like being drawn to something you don't fully understand. It's the strange comfort found in neon lights, a soft glow that fills the emptiness of late-night hours.

Photography is your primary medium, yet you push its boundaries with experimental techniques. What does photography allow you to express that other mediums might not?

This was truly a difficult question to answer, as I realize that I never really thought this through. I feel that photographyoffers a unique intersection between reality and artistic interpretation that other mediums might not provide in the same immediate or tangible way. Working primarily with film photography allows me to engage with the medium on a deeplyphysical and sensory level. The tactile process of handling film, with its inherent unpredictability and imperfections, enables me to embrace spontaneity and authenticity in my work. This hands-on approach reflects my fascination with capturing raw and unfiltered moments that define human experience.
By utilizing techniques such as slow shutter speeds and double exposures, I delve into the complexities of time, motion, and emotion within a single frame. Slow shutter speeds allow me to portray movement and the passage of time, blurring the lines between the concrete and the ephemeral. This conveys the fluidity of emotions and the transient nature of our experiences. Double exposures enable me to layer multiple perspectives and moments, symbolizing the multifaceted aspects of identity and memory. This blending invites viewers to explore deeper narratives beyond the surface.
My approach is also influenced by the philosophy of Lomography, which embraces experimentation, spontaneity, and imperfections. This perspective liberates me from conventional rules and opens avenues for creative exploration. By adopting this mindset, I can capture moments that are both visually striking and emotionally evocative, fostering a more intimate connection between the artwork and the viewer.
What distinguishes photography for me is its capacity to capture fragments of reality while simultaneously offering endless possibilities for artistic manipulation. This duality allows me to explore profound themes such as existence and identity in a medium that feels both immediate and relatable. Photography’s grounding in the real world provides a foundation upon which I can build layers of meaning, using experimental techniques to challenge perceptions and evoke introspection.
Photography enables me to navigate the space between the seen and the unseen, the tangible and the abstract. It grants me the ability to freeze moments in time while also deconstructing them, revealing hidden depths and complexities. This medium’s unique blend of reality and artifice allows for a form of expression that is both personal and universally accessible, making it particularly suited to conveying the nuances of human experience that might elude other art forms.

Your photography often captures raw, candid moments. Could you walk us through your process when working on a new series?

When approaching a new photography series, I find that the conventional understanding of “motivation” can be somewhat misleading. Motivation isn’t always a constant presence that drives us to create; rather, it’s something that ebbs and flows and often needs to be developed through dedication.
When I start a new series, it often begins with simple questions about my own motivations and interests. I ask myself, “Why am I drawn to this particular subject or theme?” or “What aspects of this topic resonate with me on a personal level?”
My methodology often follows a “just do it, understand it later” principle. I believe that sometimes you need to create without overthinking, allowing the process to unfold naturally. This doesn’t abandon essential quality; rather, it allows for unexpected breakthroughs and new perspectives to emerge. Interestingly, I’ve found that one of the most effective ways to improve my practice is to occasionally step away from it entirely. While this might sound counterintuitive, periods of disengagement can lead to unexpected insights and fresh perspectives.
In photography specifically, I’ve developed an exercise that I call “taking photos without taking photos.” This involves carrying my camera and actively looking for potential shots but without actually pressing the shutter button. At first glance, this might seem absurd, but I’ve discovered that it enhances my observational skills and forces me to see the world differently. This practice aligns with Vilém Flusser’s philosophy of photography as a way of encoding the world. Even without capturing images, I’m still engaging in the act of seeing and interpreting my surroundings through the lens of photography. By not being constrained by the need to produce tangible results, I find myself noticing details and patterns that I might have otherwise overlooked.

***Dichotomy***, Digital Photography, 2023 © Eagan Hsu
A monk, robed in the simple garb of asceticism, walks with deliberate solitude among the rushing crowd. His presence is an embodiment of spiritual commitment, a vivid contrast to the surrounding thrum of daily life and its earthly concerns. Light falls selectively, carving spaces of clarity and obscurity.

In your conceptual work, you use techniques like slow shutter speed and multiple exposures. How do these methods help you convey emotional depth in your work?

In my conceptual work, techniques like slow shutter speed and multiple exposures play a crucial role in conveying emotional depth. These methods allow me to capture layers of feeling, movement, and time that would otherwise be flattened into a single, static image. With a slow shutter speed, I can express emotions’ fluid, often chaotic nature—how they linger, blur, and overlap, much like our thoughts and memories do in our minds. Multiple exposures allow me to represent different aspects of my identity or emotional states within a single frame, layering one moment upon another. This approach feels particularly honest, as it aligns with the complexity of human emotions; we rarely feel just one thing at a time.
These techniques give me the freedom to express ambiguity and depth, which I believe reflects our internal worlds more accurately. Life isn’t always clear-cut or easily understood, and by incorporating these methods, I’m able to invite viewers to engage with the nuanced, multifaceted nature of identity and emotion. Ultimately, slow shutter speeds and multiple exposures help me to bridge the gap between reality and the intangible layers of self and emotion, capturing not just a moment but a state of mind.

“Mental health, identity, and the often-overlooked moments in life” are central to your work, as you mention in your statement. How do you approach translating these themes visually, and why are they important to you?

I translate the theme of overlooked moments visually through my street photography, which starts with observing and acknowledging the subtleties of everyday life. I find inspiration in interactions, reflections, and the spaces where people are most authentic. My street/documentary photography approach aligns with Roland Barthes’ concept of the photographic universe. I aspire to create images that not only describe reality but also evoke emotions and connections.By emphasizing candid and unposed moments, my work seeks to foster a meaningful relationship between the viewer and the subject, inviting a thorough exploration of the human condition. Through this perspective, I aim to uncover theimperfections and poignant aspects of everyday life, prompting the audience to pause and recognize the often-overlooked fragments of existence.
With my self-portraits, I explore themes like mental health and identity. This form of translation allows me to experiment with abstraction, distortion, and mixed media techniques, creating images that reflect the complexity of inner experiences. I frequently use slow shutter speeds, multiple exposures, and texture layering to visually convey the nuances of mental health and identity—elements of ourselves that are constantly changing and difficult to define. I prefer to work without relying heavily on post-editing for my self-portraits. Instead, I focus on achieving effects in-camera by using techniques such as slow shutter speed or double exposure. This hands-on approach reflects the chaotic and complex nature of emotional states. Through this direct engagement with the medium, I aim to capture the essence of mental health and identity in a way that feels authentic and raw. I wish to connect with viewers and myself on a deeper level, inviting them to look beyond the outer image and consider the deeper layers that shape not only who I am but also who we are.

***Chongqing***, Digital Photography, 2024 © Eagan Hsu

Despite your young age, you’ve had exhibitions in Taipei and international recognition for your work. How has this reception influenced your creative journey and aspirations as an emerging artist?

Having my work exhibited in Taipei and receiving international recognition has been both validating and transformative. This reception has reinforced my belief in the power of photography to communicate across boundaries, inspiring me to delve deeper into my creative process. It’s shown me that my work can engage with diverse audiences, motivating me to explore universal themes that resonate with the human experience, such as identity and emotion.
This exposure has also shaped my aspirations as an emerging artist. It compels me to continuously refine my craft, experiment with new techniques, and challenge myself to produce work that is both innovative and thought-provoking.Moreover, this recognition instills a sense of responsibility to create with intention, addressing topics that encourage reflection and foster meaningful connections.
Exhibiting my work on an international stage has provided invaluable opportunities for growth and networking. It has allowed me to engage with fellow artists, curators, and art enthusiasts from various backgrounds, broadening my perspectives and sparking new ideas for future projects. These interactions have not only enriched my artistic journey but have also opened doors for collaborations and further exhibitions. Ultimately, this recognition has strengthened my commitment to photography as a powerful medium for storytelling and self-expression. It has fueled my passion for creating images that not only capture moments but also evoke emotions and provoke introspection. As I continue to develop my practice, I am driven by the desire to make a lasting impact on the art world and contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the human condition.

And how has the audience response impacted your perspective on your practice?

Throughout the various stages of my photographic journey, I am grateful to have received predominantly positive feedback from the community. However, there has been ongoing dialogue and occasional skepticism regarding some of my more conceptual images and artworks, primarily due to my approach to deconstructing common stereotypical ideas.
For instance, my photo series “Re: Home” explores our understanding of existence and spatial awareness. By capturing scenes of unfinished construction, I aim to highlight the gap between existence and non-existence, connecting it to our perception of liminal spaces. This work has sparked meaningful conversations and debates about my methodology and ideology, which I find both compelling and essential. I am always open to discussing my work, philosophy, and views—not just on photography but also on contemporary art. Such dialogues enrich the artistic community and foster a deeper understanding of the themes I explore.
Additionally, some viewers have expressed concerns about my documentary photography, suggesting that I should avoid capturing these so-called “vulnerable” moments. However, as a photographer, I believe it is my duty to tell stories and inform through my images. By bringing these moments to light, I aim to initiate conversations that can lead to meaningful change when needed. I believe that issues must be shown and discussed to foster understanding and drive transformation.
The audience’s supportive and critical responses have reinforced my commitment to using photography as a medium for storytelling and social commentary. Their engagement motivates me to continually explore and challenge both myself and my viewers, pushing the boundaries of conventional thought in the art world. By remaining open to conversations about my work and philosophy, I hope to contribute to the ongoing discourse in contemporary art and encourage others to engage deeply with the subjects I present. This dynamic interaction with the audience enriches my work and propels my artistic growth and aspirations as an established photographic artist.

Are there any new themes or techniques you’re excited to explore in your upcoming projects? What direction do you envision for your work?

I have always immersed myself in diverse art exhibitions and galleries whenever possible. This continuous engagement with varied artistic expressions allows me to blend multiple methodologies, enriching my photographic practice through interdisciplinary influences. Exposure to different art forms often reveals unexpected parallels and contrasts that inform my approach to visual storytelling.
Currently, I am delving into contemporary mixed-media projects that critically examine our collective understanding of reality. These works deconstruct the significance of everyday objects and interrogate the social constructs shaping our perception of contemporary art. By exploring these themes, I aim to blur the boundaries between the familiar and the abstract, prompting viewers to reevaluate their preconceived notions about the world around them.
I have noticed a shift in my work toward a more conceptual and introspective direction, emphasizing deeper, multifaceted meanings. I aspire for my art to serve as a catalyst for profound discourse, facilitating critical conversations within the cultural sphere. I’m particularly interested in how art can explore complex ideas about existence, identity, and societal structures.
The direction I envision involves pushing the boundaries of traditional photographic techniques by integrating elements from other artistic disciplines. This includes experimenting with new technologies, embracing mixed media, and adopting unconventional perspectives that challenge both myself and the audience. By fostering a dynamic interplay between different forms of expression, I hope to create more immersive and thought-provoking experiences.
I believe that active conversation and constructive disagreements are vital for collective progress. By provoking thoughtful dialogue and encouraging diverse interpretations, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the exploration ofcontemporary themes and inspire others to engage more deeply with the nuanced layers of meaning in art.

Lastly, as an emerging artist, do you aspire to collaborate with other artists or explore new mediums in future projects?

Absolutely. As an emerging artist, I am eager to collaborate with artists across all mediums and practices. Working alongside artists from different disciplines would broaden my perspective and lead to the fusion of diverse ideas, resulting in work that transcends individual boundaries.
Exploring new mediums is also integral to my artistic journey. Venturing beyond traditional photography allows me to challenge myself and expand how I convey concepts and emotions. In the future, I hope that “photographer” becomes not just a noun defining my profession but an adjective describing the essence of my approach.

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