White Pollution: LIAO Chia Wei Captures the Fragile Boundary Between Beauty and Crisis
- WODACC
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
At the Best Photography Awards UK 2026 Spring Season, LIAO Chia Wei received both the Platinum Award and Photo of the Season for White Pollution, a powerful aerial photograph addressing one of today’s most urgent environmental issues.
Captured along the northern coast of Taipei, the image presents a striking visual contrast between the clarity of the ocean and the accumulation of plastic waste. Through a precise and deliberate composition, the work transforms environmental observation into a compelling narrative—one that confronts viewers with the uneasy coexistence of natural beauty and human impact.
Interview
Q: Could you share the background and setting of this award-winning photo?
LIAO:
This photo was taken on the northern coast of Taipei, Taiwan, while I was conducting a research survey on coastal plastic waste. I looked down from the air using a drone, and instead of seeing this beautiful blue sea, I saw a large amount of scattered plastic waste along the coastline. That moment shocked me greatly, so I pressed the shutter to record the undeniable reality behind this beautiful scene.
Q: Is there a particular detail in this photo that you especially love?
LIAO:
I used a "Symmetry" composition to separate the pristine ocean from the litter on the coast. The "blue seawater" and the "white trash" create a strong contrast, where beauty and destruction coexist, making it impossible to ignore.
Q: Did you have any specific inspiration or artistic concept in mind during the creation?
LIAO:
The inspiration for this work comes from my long-term concern for environmental issues and my research process. I hope that through the perspective presented in my work, I can guide viewers to rethink the impact of "White Pollution" on the natural environment.
Q: What do you hope viewers will feel or reflect upon when they see this photo?
LIAO:
I hope that viewers will first be attracted by the beauty of the visuals, then feel uneasy about the existence of pollution, and then reflect on their relationship and responsibility with the environment. If we do not make any changes, "White Pollution" will become ubiquitous.
Editor’s Note
In White Pollution, LIAO Chia Wei reveals a reality that is both visually compelling and deeply unsettling.
The image draws viewers in with its clarity and composition, only to confront them with the consequences hidden within the frame. It is precisely this tension—between attraction and discomfort—that gives the work its lasting impact, transforming a single moment into a broader reflection on environmental responsibility and collective awareness.
About the Photographer
LIAO Chia Wei
I have been working in film shooting and production, projection mapping, and exhibition setup for nearly ten years, and currently serve as a part-time lecturer at National Taichung University of Science and Technology. I hope to use my accumulated practical experience, combined with art and photography, to guide students and a wider audience to see different perspectives and developmental possibilities in environmental and social issues.
