The Young Body Talks Back—Healing, Agency, and Community Building in the Art of Charmaine Poh

Volume 22, March 2025
by Nora Wölfing


Article Description

Nora Wölfing's article explores Charmaine Poh’s photography and video works which reflect a strong sense of community and the complexity of selfhood. Her approach is not voyeuristic but uses a "soft gaze," allowing subjects to express themselves, seek intimacy, and withdraw when necessary. This empathetic connection is made possible because Poh is part of the community she documents, creating a palpable bond between her and her subjects.


Related Keywords

Nora Wölfing, feminist storytelling, Charmaine Poh, empathetic storytelling, photography, new media, non-binary, gender, queerness, power systems, body politics, digital avatar, community building, Asian Feminist Studio for Art and Research, soft gaze, asian feminism, women migrant workers, ma jie