Photographer Yan Wang Preston documented the full 6,211 km of the Yangtze River.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y13, 1,200 km from the river source —
Photographer Yan Wang Preston documented the full 6,211 km of the Yangtze River.
Yan Wang Preston
For the series, Preston divided the river's length into 62 100-km sections on Google Earth.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y60, 5,900km from the river source —
For the series, Preston divided the river's length into 62 100-km sections on Google Earth.
© Yan Wang Preston
The photos were taken between 2010 and 2014, on nine separate trips to China.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y34, 3,300 km from the river source —
The photos were taken between 2010 and 2014, on nine separate trips to China.
© Yan Wang Preston
Preston, who is from China, began the project as a way to reconnect with her homeland after moving to the UK in 2005.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y8, 700 km from the river source —
Preston, who is from China, began the project as a way to reconnect with her homeland after moving to the UK in 2005.
© Yan Wang Preston
She was also interested in the ways in which the Yangtze is perceived and portrayed in different parts of the world.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y31, 3,000 km from the river source —
She was also interested in the ways in which the Yangtze is perceived and portrayed in different parts of the world.
© Yan Wang Preston
"The images of the Yangtze River I saw when I came to London looked very different to the beautiful and picturesque way it is typically depicted in China," Preston says.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y49, 4,800 km from the river source —
"The images of the Yangtze River I saw when I came to London looked very different to the beautiful and picturesque way it is typically depicted in China," Preston says.
© Yan Wang Preston
In China, the Yangtze River is referred to as "Mother River."
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y20, 1,900 km from the river source —
In China, the Yangtze River is referred to as "Mother River."
© Yan Wang Preston
"Western photographers don't have this sentimental relationship with the Mother River, and I thought that by photographing more ordinary landscapes, I could try to subvert the known version of the Yangtze," Preston says.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y25, 2,400 km from the river source —
"Western photographers don't have this sentimental relationship with the Mother River, and I thought that by photographing more ordinary landscapes, I could try to subvert the known version of the Yangtze," Preston says.
© Yan Wang Preston
The photographs capture the diverse landscapes as well as the social impact of the river in different areas.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y4, 300 km from the river source —
The photographs capture the diverse landscapes as well as the social impact of the river in different areas.
© Yan Wang Preston
Preston experienced altitude sickness, extreme temperatures and other unforeseen dangers, including being bitten by a stray Tibetan mastiff.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y63, 6,200 km from the river source —
Preston experienced altitude sickness, extreme temperatures and other unforeseen dangers, including being bitten by a stray Tibetan mastiff.
© Yan Wang Preston
Because of her injury, she had to abandon her attempt to photograph <em>Y16</em> and leave an empty space in her series.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y44, 400 km from the river source —
Because of her injury, she had to abandon her attempt to photograph Y16 and leave an empty space in her series.
© Yan Wang Preston
When the photographs were exhibited in China last year, Preston says some visitors were angered by their stark neutrality.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y32, 3,100 km from the river source —
When the photographs were exhibited in China last year, Preston says some visitors were angered by their stark neutrality.
© Yan Wang Preston
However, the artist says she also has received plenty of positive feedback, and that people are entitled to interpret the images however they want.
Yan Wang Preston, Mother River (2010-2014): Y1, The river source —
However, the artist says she also has received plenty of positive feedback, and that people are entitled to interpret the images however they want.
© Yan Wang Preston