Fotografiska’s newest exhibition explores the absurdity of everyday life

Text Susanna Poikela
Photos ©️ Feng Li

 

The Chinese New Year has brought photographer Feng Li’s exhibition, White Nights in Wonderland, to Fotografiska in Tallinn. This striking collection presents modern society as a surreal spectacle. An internationally acclaimed street and fashion photographer, Feng Li has developed a distinctive visual language and is known for his unique ability to highlight the comic aspects of daily life.

Feng Li’s photographs capture fleeting, mysterious moments and the absurdities of everyday existence. Set against the backdrop of contemporary urban environments, his work often portrays a worn, dirty, and unapologetically artificial reality—one typically omitted from smartphone photography. A defining feature of his art is his masterful use of flash, which distorts the perception of time and blurs the boundaries between night and day.

 

 

“It is a great pleasure to present one of the most remarkable contemporary Chinese photographers in Tallinn. His portfolio includes international fashion magazines, major brands, and conceptual art projects. The exhibition perfectly reflects Feng Li’s creative evolution, featuring both comedic absurdity and vibrant colour, as well as deeper narratives behind the images,” says Fotografiska’s Exhibition Manager, Maarja Loorents.

The exhibition showcases photographs spanning the last two decades, including previously unpublished images and some of his most renowned works in a new context. Curated for Fotografiska by art historian, museologist, and curator Holly Roussell, the exhibition will be open until April 20, 2025.

On Monday,  February 10, a tea ceremony will be held at the exhibition, followed by a guided tour with Asian studies expert Rando Künnapuu, who will offer insights into contemporary Chinese art and culture.

 

 

Other exhibitions at Fotografiska

Alongside Feng Li’s exhibition, Fotografiska is also hosting Peegel/Pildis, a showcase of legendary Estonian sports photographer Lembit Peegel’s work, highlighting key moments in the nation’s sporting history. Additionally, Photosynthesis presents the photographic art of Shepard Fairey. Both exhibitions will be open until March 16.

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Exhibition Feng Li Fotografiska Lembit Peegel Photography Surrealism Tallinn White Nights in Wonderland