Oriental Beauty: Jocelyn Ho En Qi Captures Cultural Elegance Through Time
- WODACC
- May 3
- 2 min read
At the Best Photography Awards UK 2026 Spring Season, Jocelyn Ho En Qi received the Gold Award in Cultural Expressions for Oriental Beauty, a work that delicately bridges personal memory, cultural identity, and place.
Set within the historic district of Dadaocheng, the photograph brings together traditional dress and architectural heritage to create a quiet yet resonant portrait. Through texture, posture, and environment, the image reflects a timeless sense of elegance—where cultural tradition continues to live within contemporary moments.
Chinese culture has exerted its influence across Asia for thousands of years, and even in the twenty-first century, clothing remains one of the primary representative symbols of Chinese society.
Interview
Q: Could you share the background and setting of this award-winning photo?
Jocelyn:
The photo was taken at Dadaocheng, a historic area in Taipei. My friend from China and I went there to take photos of her wearing a new dress, which is a traditional outfit associated with Chinese culture.
Q: Is there a particular detail in this photo that you especially love?
Jocelyn:
As a Malaysian, I have worn cheongsam in my motherland during my childhood. I really love the wrinkles of the traditional dress, the cheongsam, as they enhance its elegance and make my friend look slimmer when she wears it.
Q: Did you have any specific inspiration or artistic concept in mind during the creation?
Jocelyn:
Yes, I was inspired by the cultural atmosphere and historical architecture of the location, which perfectly complemented the traditional cheongsam. I wanted to create a connection between the subject and the environment, highlighting the elegance of the dress while blending it with the nostalgic mood of the old streets. My artistic concept focused on expressing the timeless beauty of Chinese culture, using the lines and wrinkles of the cheongsam to emphasize grace and femininity.
Q: What do you hope viewers will feel or reflect upon when they see this photo?
Jocelyn:
I would like people who see this picture to appreciate the beauty of Chinese culture and its rich history across Asian countries. Through the traditional cheongsam and the historical setting, I hope viewers can feel the elegance, values, and cultural identity it represents. I also hope this image encourages people to reflect on the importance of preserving cultural heritage and to recognize the lasting influence of Chinese culture in Asia.
Editor’s Note
In Oriental Beauty, Jocelyn Ho En Qi captures more than a portrait—she captures continuity.
Through fabric, memory, and place, the image becomes a quiet dialogue between past and present. It reminds us that cultural identity is not static, but something lived, worn, and reinterpreted across generations.
Follow the Photographer
