Xiwen Xu
Born in the highlands of China and based in the UK, I am a fifth-year architecture student at the Glasgow School of Art. My work explores the subtle emotional connections between the self and the natural environment.
This collection reflects a personal journey of reconnection—with nature, with self, and with emotional freedom. Growing up in the highlands of China, I was shaped by vast natural landscapes and a structured, compliant upbringing. Moving alone to the UK as a teenager brought both freedom and loneliness. In London, urban parks became my sanctuary, mirroring inner shifts and the cycles of life. Through photography, I explore the quiet space between isolation and resilience, capturing subtle emotions that emerge in ordinary environments. These images invite reflection, offering a pause in the rush of daily life. By observing light, seasons, and solitude, I hope to create a visual language that resonates with those navigating change and seeking connection—with the world and with themselves.
Project Gallery
