Mother’s Daughter
MengZhu Li Solo Exhibition: Mother’s Daughter
Artist: Mengzhu Li
Curated by Jenny Ping Lam Lin, in collaboration with ArtFlow Studio
(Hongqian Zhang)
Volunteers：Jialin Zhou, Jiaye Dai, Stephanie Leung Siu Yau
3 Sep 2025 – 7 Sep 2025
The Batsford Gallery, London
The exhibition showcased the work of artist Mengzhu Li (Helen), a visual artist and photographer based between China and the UK, whose practice investigates the layered complexities of East Asian mother–daughter relationships. Set against the backdrop of a father’s passing, the series magnifies the fragile and intricate dynamics between mother and daughter. Intimacy, jealousy, remorse, and love intertwine, creating a portrait that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Through photography, text, and installation, Li captures the fragility of motherhood and the essence of femininity, offering a poignant reflection of countless East Asian family narratives.
Artist Bio:
Mengzhu Li (Helen) is a visual artist and photographer based in both China and the UK. She graduated in 2023 with a Master's degree in Contemporary Photography and Philosophy from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, after earning a Bachelor's degree in Photography from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology.
Her work explores personal and social identities among East Asian women, focusing on themes such as belonging, mother-daughter relationships in only-child families, and evolving gender dynamics in multicultural contexts.
Helen’s photography is rooted in sensory and emotional experiences, utilizing imagery as her primary medium alongside video, text, handmade books, and installations. Her art emphasizes emotional connections, inviting audiences to reflect on the intersections of culture, gender, and social environments from diverse female perspectives. By linking her work to broader societal contexts, she seeks to uncover universal resonances and capture the responsibilities inherent in artistic creation.
Useful Link:
https://www.artflowstudiofficial.com/blank-15
https://www.batsfordgallery.com/whats-on-1/echoes-between-us-the-city-breathes-mothers-daughter
