Happy to be a part of ARYQ Fest in Almaty, 2025, presenting my photography series Worshiping Mazu.

In April 2024, I was conducting an intangible cultural heritage investigation in Shantou (Swatow), China. This series documented a female gathering on Mayu Island. They were worshiping Mazu, the merciful Sea Goddess and protector of coastal people. The event was not only a spiritual activity, but also an emotional space for local women. The women were sharing a large pot of porridge and performing religious rituals such as burning incense. It functioned not only as a spiritual activity, but also as an emotional space for the local women.

Throughout history, patriarchal values have been deeply rooted in this region. However, this type of women-oriented activity reflects how women construct their own space and power of expression facing a gender-unequal society. They are the organizers and participants. They show genuine love and care. They see each other, and they are seen.

Time is changing. This is a small and pristine place, where local life isn’t under a strong spotlight. At that moment, I felt a strong emotion, as well as a soft sense of responsibility, to not just walk by, but to pull out my film camera and freeze this moment, attempting to make visible the presence of these women, to preserve it as a historical record, so that when we look back, we might witness the transformation and gain strength to keep going.