Silence Is Speaking by Chia Huang at MEP

Chia Huang presents an intimate project that delves into the lives of A-ce and A-zhan, two autistic brothers who are almost unable to communicate verbally, living alone with their father, who has cancer, in the city of Taitung, Taiwan.

Overview

Over the course of six months, the photographer immersed herself in the daily life of this family, capturing their inner world through a hybrid approach combining documentary photography, amateur drawings, and family archives. Deprived of verbal language due to their autism, the two brothers nevertheless maintain a constant internal dialogue within the depths of their silence.

Embracing a collaborative approach to photography, Chia Huang incorporates the prolific drawings of the two brothers, which cover the walls of their home, into her work. These creations, true extensions of their inner world, punctuate the project and offer an alternative form of expression.

Winner of the 2024 Dior Photography and Visual Arts Award for Young Talents, through this project, Chia Huang sheds light on the pain and confusion experienced by this family as they navigate the expectations of Taiwanese society, still steeped in traditional norms. Her sensitive imagery unveils the silent communication between the brothers, highlighting their body language and documenting “the quiet sound hidden within their being.”