Another Orchids  
Junzi (君子)

In the classical Chinese literati tradition, the orchid symbolizes the virtues of the Junzi (君子: the noble, exemplary "Gentleman" in Confucian thought, historically defined and celebrated by male literati) and often appears in poetry and painting. This photographic project reconfigures the classical image of the ink orchid, overlaying traditional symbolism onto the contemporary queer body. Dialogue and exchange with the subjects are a central part of the process.

 

The subject is one person I met through the queer dating app, and I photographed him with permission. The captions beneath the photos capture stories from our conversations that stayed with me.