Catalyst Interviews - Xuan-Hui Ng

Interview by Michael Kirchoff for Catalyst Interviews

Many thanks to Michael Kirchoff for the thought provoking interview. Michael's questions made me dig deeper into my thought process.

I used to believe in NOT analyzing my photography too much. I was afraid analyzing it would make it less intuitive. However, over time, I realize that intuition and having a good understanding of my thought process are not mutually exclusive. I have come to believe that knowing my photography and myself better will in turn help me become a better photographer and a better teacher!

Hope you enjoy the interview!

“Xuan Hui Ng is a photographer whose work is deeply intertwined with personal healing, the rhythms of nature, and the quiet beauty of fleeting moments. Originally from Singapore and now based in Tokyo, Xuan Hui’s journey into photography was not born out of formal training or artistic ambition but rather as a means of navigating profound grief. After losing her mother to cancer—her confidante and moral compass—she found herself in a downward spiral, searching for something to ground her. It was in nature, with its vast landscapes and quiet resilience, that she found solace. What began as an attempt to hold onto the serenity she experienced in these natural spaces soon transformed into a lifelong artistic pursuit.”

To read the full article, please visit: the website below.

Lenscratch - TRANSCENDENT WINTER MAGIC

“Transcendent Winter Magic” by Aline Smithson for Lenscratch

Many thanks to Aline Smithson for featuring my work in her article and promoting my workshops and exhibitions in this article!

“Every Christmas I like to feature work that is inspiring in its beauty and soul-filling in its subject matter. Xuan-Hui Ng’s exquisite capture of natural wonders is a balm for all the sadness and stress in the world. She helps us reset our our psyche’s, lower our blood pressure, and revel in the magic of winter, water, light, and snow. Her unique way of deep seeing the ephemeral qualities of the natural world, has also been a form of personal therapy. After the loss of her mother, she turned to photography with a desire to prolong the serenity that nature brought.”

To read the full article, please visit: the website below.

Feature Shoot

“Navigating Loss & Sadness Through Cherry Blossom Photography”

I’m really grateful to Ellyn Kail of Feature Shoot Magazine for making the time and effort to interview me and write in depth about my project Remembrance.

“In Ng’s work, there’s no sense of ‘up’ or ‘down,’ either. Through reflections, she invites us to walk on clouds. Sheets of fog make it hard to determine whether objects are very far away—or close enough to touch. In some cases, an impossibly shallow depth of field makes nearby objects seem just out of reach, like moments from a dream lost upon waking.

Ng’s pictures are like memory itself in that time and space don’t move linearly; they compress and expand. The past is present, and those who are gone become present once more. While making them, the artist felt the spirit of her mother beside her.”

To read the full article, please visit: the website below.

Float Magazine

Portfolio Feature

I met Dana Stirling at the recent LACP (2023 Feb). I’m grateful for her kind feedback and also for featuring my portfolio in the magazine! Many thanks, Dana!

For more details, please visit the webiste below.

2022 Critical Mass Finalist

photolucida - Critical Mass 2022

I'm really delighted to be one of the 2022 Critical Mass finalists. Congratulations to fellow finalists and many thanks to the pre-sceening team (Elizabeth Avedon, Donna Garcia, Julian Lucas, Debra Klomp Ching, Lia J. Latty, Peter M. Krask, Sarah Leen, Federico Estol, Maya Anner, and Laura Moya) for including my work. My images will now be reviewed by 200+ international jurors. It's a privilege!

18th Pollux Awards

Jurors | Julio Hirsch-Hardy and FotoNostrum curators

I’m honored to be awarded "Honorable Mention” for:

• Nature - series

from juror Julio Hirsch-Hardy and the team of curators of FotoNostrum in the 18th edition of the Pollux Awards. Congratulations to all winners and Honorable Mentions!

Nature - series

17th Pollux Awards

Jurors | Julio Hirsch-Hardy and FotoNostrum curators

I’m honored to be awarded "Honorable Mention” for:

• Landscapes & Seascapes - single images

• Nature - single images

• Nature - series

from juror Julio Hirsch-Hardy and the team of curators of FotoNostrum in the 17th edition of the Pollux Awards.

Congratulations to all winners and Honorable Mentions! Check out their work here!

Landscapes & Seascapes - single images

Nature - single images

Nature - series

16th Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers

Jurors | Barbara Davidson and Elisabeth Biondi

The Worldwide Photography Gala Awards (‘WPGA’) was launched in 2009. They organize various juried international competitions for professional and amateur photographers. I entered WPGA’s 16th Julia Margaret Cameron Award competition, juried by Barbara Davidson and Elisabeth Biondi, and am thrilled to receive:

• Nature (series), 2nd place

• Landscapes & Seascapes (single image), 2nd place

• Landscapes & Seascapes (single images), Honorable Mention

• Landscapes & Seascapes (series), Honorable Mention

Congratulations to everyone and thank you to the FotoNostrum Staff (pre-screening), Barbara and Elisabeth for selecting my images!

Remembrance - 2nd place Nature Category (series)

Metamorphosis #10 / Snowbugs - 2nd place Landscape & Seascapes Category (single image)

Adrift #3, Metamorphosis #30, Adrift #2 - Honorable Mention, Landscape & Seascapes Category (single images)

Metamorphosis - Honorable Mention, Landscape & Seascapes Category (series)

Griffin Museum - 27th Juried Exhibition

Juror | Arnika Dawkins

• Exhibition dates | July 15 – August 29, 2021

I am really delighted to have my image Remembrance #4 selected by juror Arnika Dawkins to be part of the Griffin Museum’s 27th Juried exhibition. It’s an honor to be in the company of other wonderful artists. Congratulations Aline Smithson for receiving the Director’s Prize . Thank you Arnika, and the Griffin Museum team - Paula Tognarelli, Crista Dix, Sue Fuller!

SEC4P - 'Flora' Group Exhibition

Juror | Wendi Schneider

• Exhibition dates | May 7 to May 29, 2021

The above image will be featured in Southeast Center for Photography’s (SEC4P) group exhibition ’Flora’. This exhibition is juried by Wendi Schneider. I am a huge fan of her works!

A Smith Gallery - 'diptych' Group Exhibition

Diptych

Juror | Kevin Tully

• Exhibition dates | March 12 to May 9, 2021

• Receptions | March 27 and April 24, 2021 both 4pm CST Facebook Live

The above image ‘Snow’ will be featured in A Smith Gallery’s group exhibition ‘diptych’. This exhibition is juried by Kevin Tully.

What Will You Remember - A Spectrum of Exposure

I met Elin Spring (What Will You Remember?) at LACP’s Exposure Weekend portfolio reviews Jan 21-24, 2021. I am excited to be featured along with other reviewees in A Spectrum of Exposure on their website. Thank you for all the advice, Elin!

Remembrance #4 (Aomori, 2019)

A Smith Gallery - 'life' Group Exhibition

Life

Juror | Alyssa Coppelman

• Exhibition dates | February 26 to April 11, 2021

• Receptions | February 27 and March 27, 2021 both 4pm CST Facebook Live

The above image from my project, Remembrance, will be featured in A Smith Gallery’s group exhibition ‘Life’. This exhibition is juried by Alyssa Coppelman.

Sakura (cherry blossoms) bloom for an average of 1-2 weeks. Weather conditions (sun, wind, temperature) affect the life-span of the flowers. At times, the falling petals appear like shooting stars as the soar through the sky.

This was a chance encounter, with the right amount of wind, the right amount of petals falling from neighboring trees, at the right time. It was a stroke of serendipity and I thank my lucky stars.