Ying Ang Playlist
- Text by Andrea Kurland
Nomadic photographer Ying Ang contemplates the meaning of home in her contribution to Huck 46 – The Documentary Photography Special II.
Her beautifully eerie portrait of Australia’s Gold Coast – the city she grew up in and has been trying to escape ever since – uncovered the darker side of life downunder in subtle Lynchian tones.
Now, as she hops between her various bases – flying between Melbourne, Singapore and NYC – to promote the photobook that came out of that personal project, there’s only one record worthy of playing on repeat. And that’s Karen O’s crushworthy Crush Songs.
Says Ying: “I’ve always loved album cover art, which is a large reason why I still buy and listen to vinyl. As soon as I saw this album I already wanted it to be a favourite. When the music started, I heard the girl in her, a little unsure, laced with angst and filled with the devastatingly hopeful/hopeless nature of adolescent crushes. I guess I’m still thirteen on the inside.”
Latest on Huck
In the ’60s and ’70s, Greenwich Village was the musical heart of New York
Talkin’ Greenwich Village — Author David Browne’s new book takes readers into the neighbourhood’s creative heyday, where a generation of artists and poets including Bob Dylan, Billie Holliday and Dave Van Ronk cut their teeth.
Written by: Cyna Mirzai
How Labour Activism changed the landscape of post-war USA
American Job — A new exhibition revisits over 70 years of working class solidarity and struggle, its radical legacy, and the central role of photography throughout.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Analogue Appreciation: Emma-Jean Thackray
Weirdo — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, multi-instrumentalist and Brownswood affiliate Emma-Jean Thackray.
Written by: Emma-Jean Thackray
Meet the shop cats of Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan district
Feline good — Traditionally adopted to keep away rats from expensive produce, the feline guardians have become part of the central neighbourhood’s fabric. Erica’s online series captures the local celebrities.
Written by: Isaac Muk
How trans rights activism and sex workers’ solidarity emerged in the ’70s and ’80s
Shoulder to Shoulder — In this extract from writer Jake Hall’s new book, which deep dives into the history of queer activism and coalition, they explore how anti-TERF and anti-SWERF campaigning developed from the same cloth.
Written by: Jake Hall
A behind the scenes look at the atomic wedgie community
Stretched out — Benjamin Fredrickson’s new project and photobook ‘Wedgies’ queers a time-old bullying act by exploring its erotic, extreme potential.
Written by: Isaac Muk