Appointment with the Artist - Taiwanese Art Photographer You Benchuan

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. I was drawn to Taiwanese art photographer You Benchuan by his "French Chair Series." Nearly twenty years ago, this series left a deep impression on me that lingered in my mind. In over thirty years of viewing exhibitions, it is rare to find works so passionately sought after, like finding a needle in a haystack driven by feeling.

Although I had never met You Benchuan in person, the calling power of art often acts like a magnetic field, connecting us through fate. At last year's Taiwan Photography Expo in Huashan, Taipei, I encountered his work again. It was a feast for both vision and intellect. These eye-catching yet seemingly ordinary composite images captivated me completely. Wasn't this the calling or law of attraction of art? It drew me in involuntarily, allowing me to meet the artist himself on site. We chatted about art photography, sharing a very compatible, intellectual, and joyful dialogue that left a lasting impression. He gifted me four photo books. Last week, keeping an appointment with the artist, I visited him personally. After a long conversation, we delved into the realm of You Benchuan's art photography.