Christina Yao / Near or Far / 11.28.2025 - 12.18.2025
Near or Far is an ongoing series of photographic portraits that explore the continuous negotiation of power, trust, and communication within intimate relationships. I'm captivated by the complexity and unpredictability of human connection.
These portraits— taken in the homes of friends and acquaintances in Calgary, Canada—reflect a diverse spectrum of socio-political backgrounds, as well as national and sexual identities. I spend time listening to my subjects’ personal stories, transforming those conversations into fictionalized narratives within my images. Sometimes, I cast my Hinge dates as models, using the space between reality and fiction to imagine new forms of relationship. I occasionally place myself within the frame— becoming both observer and participant—as a way to examine my own desires, insecurities, and patterns of connection. As my romantic relationships are often short-lived, this process becomes a form of self-reflection and a journey inward. I'm fascinated by what the camera can capture— and what my subjects choose to reveal. As humans, we long to be seen. We crave connection yet often fear revealing our truest selves. Our relationship with ourselves inevitably shapes the way we relate to others. When viewing this work, one might ask: Do we sometimes seek external validation without first turning inward? Are we willing to truly accept and understand ourselves? Facing moments of self-doubt requires courage. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and authentic not only deepens our self understanding but also strengthens our relationships.
Christina Yao is a China-born, Calgary-based artist working primarily in photography, video, and installation. Drawing from her experiences living and working across the U.S., Colombia, and Canada, she explores themes of relationship, identity, and place through a cross-cultural lens.Yao holds a Bachelor of Design in Photography (with Distinction) from Alberta University of the Arts (2024). She was selected as a 2025 Critical Mass Top 200 finalist and was a finalist in the 2024 LensCulture Portrait Awards and was featured in the Emerging Photographers Showcase at the 2024 Exposure Alberta Photo Festival. Her work has been exhibited at Sotheby's Institute of Art (New York), ASC Studio (London, UK), Contemporary Calgary, The Marion Nicoll Gallery, TRUCK Contemporary Art, Stride Gallery, cSPACE, The Bows, and Arts Commons.
@cristinadass; Christina Yao Photography
