"Mother’s daughter"

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In the wake of a father's passing, the once stable triangular family dynamic shifts dramatically. The relationship between mother and daughter becomes magnified, unveiling the complexities inherent in their bond. Unique traits associated with femininity emerge vividly, leading to an exploration of the intricate and often hidden dimensions of their mother-daughter relationship.

This connection is imbued with a blend of intimacy, pain, and tension, characterized by contradictions. The mother loves deeply, knows intimately, feels jealousy, yet vows never to harm. In contrast, the daughter adores, aspires to embody, attempts to overlook influence, and grapples with remorse for past hurts. Love intertwines with deep-seated animosity; each serves as the other’s reflection in the world. This relationship, nuanced and irreplaceable, defies standardization. For women, personal desires often precede familial moral codes. The work captures the fragility of motherhood and the essence of femininity, portraying an imperfect mother striving to create a perfect environment for her daughter—a poignant reflection of countless East Asian mother-daughter relationships.

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Artist Bio:

Mengzhu Li (Helen) is a visual artist and photographer based in both China and the UK. She graduated in 2023 with a Master's degree in Contemporary Photography and Philosophy from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, after earning a Bachelor's degree in Photography from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology. 

Her work explores personal and social identities among East Asian women, focusing on themes such as belonging, mother-daughter relationships in only-child families, and evolving gender dynamics in multicultural contexts.

Helen’s photography is rooted in sensory and emotional experiences, utilizing imagery as her primary medium alongside video, text, handmade books, and installations. Her art emphasizes emotional connections, inviting audiences to reflect on the intersections of culture, gender, and social environments from diverse female perspectives. By linking her work to broader societal contexts, she seeks to uncover universal resonances and capture the responsibilities inherent in artistic creation.