Still lifes in the studio

Text and photographs by James Huang

In my work, I collect objects and later photograph and arrange them into images. I believe objects hold meaning, especially when they are carefully composed and captured at a specific moment in time. Through this process, everyday items become connected to memory and feeling.

This way of working has changed how I see ordinary places such as dollar stores, thrift shops, and places I encounter while traveling. Collecting becomes a form of visual research, like searching for one meaningful object among many. It is about using the resources already available and being intentional about how objects are sourced and arranged. Sorting through shelves and racks becomes a way of deciding what matters and what does not. In this way, choosing the object is just as important as making the photograph.

At its core, this method is about intention and authorship. Whether an object is secondhand or something that was thrown away, I photograph and arrange it to tell a story. When images are shown together, they work like language: each image is a sentence, and together they form a visual essay.

This practice is sustained through repetition and variation: an ongoing process of testing, revising, and reworking. The studio becomes a space for experimentation, where getting “lost” can lead to new ideas. Through lighting, framing, and composition, ordinary objects become subjects that reflect memory, time, and visual awareness.