refocus-01-stir-fried-pork-with-pepper-1732478778

refocus-02-millet-pepper-fell-in-love-with-the-little-rooster-1732478786

refocus-03-seafood-in-clay-pot-1732478792

refocus-04-black-chicken-soup-1732478804

refocus-05-steamed-white-eel-1732478810

Culinary Canvases

Cheng Gong

China

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As an Asian in the US, my taste and identity resist boundaries. This series pairs Chinese dishes with my hand-painted backgrounds, blending culture, memory, and emotion—showing how layered histories shape self beyond East-West norms in a turbulent, vibrant cultural whirlpool.

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refocus-03-seafood-in-clay-pot-1758634482

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Honorable Mention

The Sea of Devourment

This series combines photographs of Chinese dishes with hand-painted backgrounds, weaving cultural memory and personal experience. Food becomes a language beyond translation, while The Sea That Devours evokes a shifting space where cultures collide, merge, and transform.

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refocus-cheng_gong_sea-of-devourment_09-mala-grilled-fish-1755539556

refocus-cheng_gong_sea-of-devourment_08-traditional-beijing-copper-hot-pot-1755539553

refocus-cheng_gong_sea-of-devourment_04-silkie-chicken-soup-1755539551

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Nominee

Sea of Devourment

In this series of work, I blend Chinese cuisine with my own oil paintings in my photography, exploring cultural identity and societal influence. Aim to serves as a catalyst for introspection, encouraging viewers to explore the intricate interplay between personal identity and societal dynamics.

People's Vote Award