Ren Hang
任航 Ren Hang
1987 – 2017
Last week, the world of Chinese photography and art lost one of its most influential and controversial voices.
Known for his provocative photographs and poetry, and had struggled and battled with debilitating depression for years, Ren Hang tragically took his own life at the age of 29 in Berlin, February 24th.
Self-taught, Ren Hang picked up photography in college. Often featuring young, naked friends in unusual and sculptural poses, Ren believed that metaphors and beauty can be found in the simple surreality of corporeal form. He was never limited by the physicality of the human body.
This talented artist expressed his love for this world through his searing photographs, a carnival of milky limbs and botanical beauty. In 2014, Ren Hang called his mother and asked her if she’d like to be his model. The answer “yes” didn’t surprise him as much as what his mother said next- “Naked, right?”
《我的妈妈》
My Mother
Over time he gained fame for his striking, expressive nude photos, but also had multiple arrests in his home country of China where outdoor nudity and pornographic images are illegal. Several of his websites have been shortlived. But as soon as one site was shut down, he would start a new one. Through the internet, Ren Hang’s work reached a new, fascinated audience and consequently has been exhibited worldwide, beloved by the fashion industry, like Aperture, Gucci, GQ, L’OFFICIEL and etc..
Ren Hang x GUCCI
Ren Hang x Numéro China
Ran Heng x Maison Kitsuné
Ran Heng x PURPLE FASHION magazine
Along with his photography, Ren frequently wrote his own bizarre poems. He published these poems on social media to share his stream of consciousness, as opposed to talking about his work. “When the photo shoot is done, it’s done. But what others think about it is just what they think.”
No matter the circumstances of his “goodbye”, what remains is the certainty that Ren Hang encompassed incredible talent and bravery. He passed away far too early. Rest in peace, beautiful boy.
©️ Ren Hang
