Fan Li

1. Why photography ?
There are ideas that stay in my head and I need to pull them out. Photography is my way of pulling
them out.
2. Your inspiration ?
Impressionist painting, Nature, and my children.
3. What is unique in your photographs ?
My photographs base on aesthetics. Impressionism is my option. The camera is no longer a machine
for me, but a brush. I take this brush to paint what I see and think.
4. The context of creation of your new series:
The first time I had such an epiphany was in 2017, in the park of Saint-Cloud. I thought of Renoir's
painting "In the park of Saint-Cloud". I asked myself: "Can I take photos like paint a picture?"
5. Any anecdote for us ?
My photographs base on aesthetics. Impressionism is my option. The camera is no longer a machine
for me, but a brush. I take this brush to paint what I see and think. Naturally there are lines, strokes,
clarity and blurriness. It is also natural that things are not entirely real.
6. The picture you would have loved to shoot ?
I wanted to take a picture like Monet’s work Les Coquelicots. My children, my wife will be my model.
I just have to wait for spring.
7. The latest prizes / awards / prides you got ?
I've been entering fewer photographie competitions lately. The last competition that was more
meaningful to me was a one-year touring exhibition in Japan in 2021-2022. Next spring I will have my
solo exhibition at La Montgolfière in Vaucresson. This is the best reward for me.
8. Your next projects ?
Following in the footsteps of the Impressionist masters. Take impressionist photographs of the places
where they painted.
9. Your motto ?
I use the camera to draw the world.
10. Any crush on a YK picture ?
There are many, like Laurent Baheux, Lee Jeffries, ...
But the one that impressed me the most was Formento+Formento, who answered in an
interview, "Why photography ? It is because I am not good at anything else!" I think this is
the expression of every photographic artist's heart.