Wong Woan Xiu

十个男人，七个傻，八个呆，九个坏 (“10 men, 7 silly, 8 foolish and 9 bad”) is a lyric from the song 姐姐妹妹站起来 by Matilda Tao.

Conceived as a satirical textbook on how to be a 'better man', the project critiques toxic masculinity and the tendency to label femininity as weak or inferior.

The book embraces stereotypically feminine aesthetics—pastel colours, pink tones, stars, glitter and cutesy imagery—as a way of challenging these perceptions.

This photography project draws inspiration from the movie Yi Yi (2000), particularly a scene in which the character Yi Yi photographs people from behind, stating, “I can only see what is in front, and not the back.”

This perspective became a way for Woan Xiu to consider the parts of the self that remain unseen—not only physically, but emotionally and psychologically.

Through photographing her subjects from behind, Woan Xiu explores how people are often limited by their own self-perception. People can become consumed by their own thoughts, identities and assumptions, yet rarely see themselves in the way others do.

This project reflects on the hidden sides of individuals that exist beyond their own awareness, questioning the limits of self-understanding and the quiet arrogance of believing we fully know ourselves.

Inspired by the many instances Woan Xiu failed to get her hands on the dessert, this project features a humorous poem that uses the four seasons to symbolise the passing of time.