-- Artist statement
My Mobile Photo Studio – Departure
Instruction:
“In my previous works, most of the photographed are unimportant ‘props’. However, this time is very different that I, just as a service, went to the photographed people, providing them with clothing and props, and then took a photograph. It would be really good memories if they like what I shoot for them. In 2012, my friends and I are just in our 40s. I bid farewell to my youth, like the world would be destroyed in this year. We are so happy to do this project together, which like an adventure.
Completed the plan of “My Mobile Photo Studio” is more complicated than expected. We are going to 54 cities, more than 28,000 kilometers, and have to face a variety of unpredictable things during the journey. Although this, I still touched by the pure things in life. In order to remind people that there are lovely, romantic and good things in the world, we decide to do this journey.”
— Ma Liang, January 17, 2012
Maleonn (whose real name Maliang, 马良) was born in 1972, Shanghai, China. He entered Shanghai Huashan Art School when he was 12 years old. He then went to Fine Art College of Shanghai University, majored in Graphic design. By 1995, he has completed his art study of 11 years. After graduation, he went into the world of advertisement and became a director of commercial filming. During this period of his career, he has won golden award of the China International Advertising Festival twice.
In 2004, Maleonn quit his previous job and started his career as an artist, creating graphic art by the media of photography, as well as drawing and installation art. In 2012, Maleonn started his public art project, the Studio Mobile. He put his photo studio into two mini vans, and travelled through China for 10 months, taking free portraits for 1,600 strangers in 35 cities. The event has led to a nation-wide attention to this very artist, and created enthusiastic discussion on the internet. Maleonn now lives and works in Shanghai, China.
