““I really liked the strangeness of Chongqing in the Southwest. They call it a mountain city … You could be walking through an area, and then when you pass through a road, you realize that there are other roads 12 floors below.””

— Teresa Eng

Interview by Qimei Fu

How did you feel when you first went back to China?

My parents are from China but I grew up thinking that our family was from Hong Kong because that was where our relatives were. They never talked about their childhood and what happened during that time (during the Communist Revolution) The first time I visited China was in 1997. It felt symbolic to visit China during that time when Hong Kong was handed back to China. I was aware of the negative sentiment that Hong Kongers had towards Mainland Chinese which affected my perspective so I wanted to see the country for myself. As a second generation Chinese-Canadian, there is the reverse culture shock of looking Chinese but not being able to speak the language and that I acted differently.

Teresa Eng, China Dream, River — Teresa Eng, *China Dream, River*

Can you talk about some unique experiences when you took photos in China?

I spent my time walking around what little area I could cover as Chinese cities are so large; the population of some special economic regions is as big as the UK's entire population. I really liked the strangeness of Chongqing in the Southwest. They call it a mountain city, so the old city's layout is built vertically without leveling the land. You could be walking through an area, and then when you pass through a road, you realize that there are other roads 12 floors below.

Teresa Eng, China Dream, Station — Teresa Eng, *China Dream, Station*

In today's fast-paced society, it's not easy to keep on doing a long-term project. Did you face any difficulties while you made the series? Do you have any advice for young photographers who just start to work?

I like working on long term projects because I need the time to hone what my subconscious is saying. I think it's important to be patient and not be afraid to experiment. Maybe it's harder to do nowadays because the current systems of social media create this fear of not being 'productive'.

Teresa Eng, China Dream, Construction — Teresa Eng, *China Dream, Construction*

What are you working on now?

I'm continuing my Elephant series, a ten-year-long project about the Elephant & Castle regeneration area in London. I've lived there since 2013. It's been surreal to live in the midst of a construction site that's gentrifying. Over lockdown, some of the large housing estates were demolished while construction cranes have been erected around the corner from where I live.

Describe your creative process in one word.

Contemplative

If you could teach a one-hour class on anything, what would it be?

How to see.

Teresa Eng, China Dream, Chinese Graffiti — Teresa Eng, *China Dream, Chinese Graffiti*

What was the last book you read or film you saw that inspired you?

Atlantics. The way how Mati Diop created a supernatural love story that encompasses issues of Migration with the Identity and Diaspora and is so beautiful and inspiring.

What is the most played song in your music library?

This Must Be The Place by the Talking Heads.

How do you take your coffee?

With Milk.