Meet Hsing-Chia Hsieh | Lens-based Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hsing-Chia Hsieh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hsing-Chia, what makes you happy? Why?
Being with people I care about makes me happy. I feel secure when we spend time, share our common ground, and experience something new. That happiness could be extended to people who resonate with your work. When they know your story, the connection begins.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a lens-based artist who uses images, text, and collages to tell narrative stories. My most notable work is a handmade photobook, “Recover from Oblivion”, which explores my family history. In 2021, I found an album of my grandfather’s trip to America, taken before I was born. His death when I was young left many of his experiences untold, including this trip.
In the book, I included his portrait and paired it with my self-portraits to draw connections. I also recounted my memories of my grandfather and other family members. Screenshots of video calls with family members, printed to resemble phone screens, highlight the tangibility of digital images. The book aims to evoke a universal experience and spark a conversation about the nature of family photography.
The draft was completed in 2022 during a handmade book class, with the final version finished in 2023. It intertwines with my self-reflection upon reaching middle age. Although the book tells a personal story, it could resonate with anyone; because photos help us preserve precious events and memories.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would recommend visiting some art scenes in Atlanta. These include the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Little Five Points, Krog Street Tunnel, and Jackson Fine Art Gallery.
Also, don’t miss iconic attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola Museum, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
My favorite- Stone Mountain Park is a great place to spend a day or two.
For food lovers, there are various cuisines to try. Here are some of my favorites:
• Cantonese-style BBQ at Ming’s BBQ Doraville
• Vietnamese food at Nam Phuong on Buford Highway
• Soul food at Soul: Food & Culture
• Japanese food at Shoya Izakaya
• Bubble tea at Tea Top
• Desserts at Meet Fresh
• Korean dishes at 9292 BBQ

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Firstly, I want to thank Hsin-Ping (Candice) Chou for introducing me to Shoutout Atlanta. She’s a good friend and a dedicated visual effects artist. We spent a great deal of time together during my graduate studies. I also want to acknowledge my friends from SCAD: Ann Chen, Dodo Lin, Kevin Le, Alex Lu, Jerry Su, Shawn Hsu, Ching Ho, Henry Chou, Tako Lien, Linda Wang, Little Boat, Clyde Wang, Kui Long, Enyu Jin, Laina Jung, Jasmine Hsu, Sinead Hornak, Olivia Zhang, Zhao Chen, Icey Zhao, and many others. I greatly appreciated their companionship throughout my journey.
I am deeply grateful for the Savannah College of Art and Design Photography program. Professors Rebecca Nolan, Josh Jalbert, Jenny Kuhla, and all the faculty and staff guided me along the way.
I also want to show my appreciation for Shenengong, the Buddhist temple that worships Pusa. Their advice has been invaluable.
Finally, my journey in America couldn’t have started without my family and friends’ support from my hometown Taiwan. I am thankful for each of you who has been helped me along the way/

Website: https:// https://www.hsingchia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riantlove

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsingchiahsieh/

Image Credits
Hsing-Chia Hsieh