Wing Shya: Solace
Session Press is proud to unveil Solace, the first U.S. monograph from celebrated Hong Kong-based photographer and filmmaker Wing Shya.
Early in his career, Shya collaborated closely with legendary director Wong Kar-wai, serving as an on-set stills photographer for iconic films like Happy Together and In the Mood for Love. With unique access to Wong’s creative process, Shya documented candid behind-the-scenes moments, capturing luminaries such as Tony Leung, Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, and Gong Li in relaxed, unguarded states. These evocative portraits form the foundation of Solace, interwoven with highlights from Shya’s commercial photography and personal snapshots of landscapes and urban scenes encountered during his travels. The collection is a testament to Shya’s talent for storytelling and his contemplative, artistic vision.
Hong Kong has long fascinated the Western imagination, often depicted as a vibrant, chaotic city awash with neon light. Yet in Solace, Shya unveils a more reflective side of his hometown. The pace slows, drawing viewers into fleeting moments of quiet connection and delicate human interaction. These ethereal scenes, imbued with nostalgia and framed by Shya’s use of expired film and bold splashes of color, reveal his intuitive sensitivity toward his subjects.
William Chang, a key collaborator of Wong Kar-wai, describes Solace as a “poignant achievement that skillfully captures the transient beauty of passing moments.”
Through Solace, Session Press aims to introduce a global audience to Wing Shya’s nuanced artistry, while offering a fresh perspective on the rich cultural tapestry of Hong Kong.
About the Author
Wing Shya navigates seamlessly across film, art, and fashion. Born in Hong Kong in 1964, he pursued fine art studies at the Emily Carr Institute in Canada before returning to his hometown to establish Shya-la-la Workshop, an acclaimed design studio. In 1997, he became Wong Kar-wai’s exclusive photographer and graphic designer, contributing to films such as Happy Together, In the Mood for Love, Eros, and 2046.
Shya’s filmmaking career began with music videos for artists like Karen Mok, Jacky Cheung, and Vanessa Mae. In 2010, he made his feature film debut with Hot Summer Days, followed by its sequel, Love in Space, in 2011. That same year, Shya collaborated with Rodarte on a fashion-art film for their Maggie Cheung Collection and created Lost Paradise for thecorner.com, a YOOX initiative in China.
Shya returned to fine art in 2006 with his debut exhibition Distraction/Attraction at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, becoming the first non-Japanese photographer to show at the institution. Since then, his work has been featured in prestigious exhibitions such as In Fashion 07 at Art Basel Miami, China Design Now at London’s V&A Museum, and solo showcases in Shanghai, Tokyo, and New York. His recent exhibitions include collaborations with Louise Alexander Gallery (Italy), +81 Gallery (Tokyo and New York), and Ooibotos Gallery (Hong Kong).
