Chan-Hyo Bae is a South Korean photographer who attended college in London and now lives in Toronto. As a result of his experiences, he has a unique ability to reflect on the differences between the cultures of the East and West. In his large-format prints from his Existing in Costume and Fairy Tales collections, which are currently on display at the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris, he explores his role in Western society by playing the role of British queens and fairy tale princesses from periods ranging from the 13th to the 19th centuries.
“As I see it, Orientalism was born out of Western cultural preconceptions about Asia a conquered territory out of a false image that sees the culture of the other from an ethnocentric, self-absorbed point of view, he explains. “It was this kind of anti-Oriental prejudice that suddenly made me aware of the chaotic, alienated state of my own identity – a confusion I try to show in my work.” Click through for a slide show.
Image credit: Chan-Hyo Bai, 2011. [Spotted via What’s up! Trouvaillesdujour]
Image credit: Chan-Hyo Bai
Image credit: Chan-Hyo Bai
Image credit: Chan-Hyo Bai
Image credit: Chan-Hyo Bai
Image credit: Chan-Hyo Bai
Image credit: Chan-Hyo Bai
Image credit: Chan-Hyo Bai
Image credit: Chan-Hyo Bai
Image credit: Chan-Hyo Bai