Kyle Lui is a Chinese-American photographer based in NYC. His work focuses on the intimacies and sutures within families and communities, with an emphasis on immigrant families and Manhattan’s Chinatown. Kyle’s work explores how immigration and cultural differences affect intergenerational relationships. His work also investigates masculinity and the dynamics of male friendship.
In 2018, Kyle began experimenting with photography when he was studying abroad for university in London. Kyle was inspired to start his own documentary photography practice when he discovered projects by photographers such as Taryn Simon and Dawoud Bey.
Kyle is a winner of the Lensculture Emerging Talent Awards 2024. Kyle is a 2023 alumni of Review Santa Fe and 2022 alumni of the Bridge Program. In 2023, Kyle held his debut solo exhibition at Photoville for his project, Sowing Rice with Salt. Kyle’s work has been featured on CNN Style and i-D Magazine. He has also exhibited in Soho Photo Gallery and Pearl River Gallery.
EDUCATION
2022 The Bridge - BKC/American Society of Media Photographers
2022 ICP at The Point CDC
2019 Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies, Tufts University
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2024 Analog Forever Magazine: Portraits: Beyond the Exterior
2024 Atlanta Photography Group: Portrait 2024
2024 URBAN Photography: Trieste & the cities of the world
2024 Us for the Arts: Of Flesh and Blood Exhibition
2024 Colorado Photographic Arts Center: Annual Members’ Show
2024 Slow Burn NYC: Don’t/Đừng: Film & Art Night
2024 Baxter St Camera Club: Project Space Exhibition - Correspondence
2024 Work in Progress: “Bloom” Spring Showcase
2023 Photoville Festival: Solo Exhibition
2022 Soho Photo Gallery: 13 to 30 Competition
2022 Soho Photo Gallery: APA NY’s 1st Annual Juried Gallery Exhibition
2022 The Bridge Program: Final Show
2022 Soho Photo Gallery: Portfolio Development Program
2022 Photoville/Redhook Community Justice Center
2022 Anyone Anywhere: Rebirth
2021 Pearl River Gallery: Corky Lee on My Mind - A Photographic Tribute
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
CNN Style Sowing Rice with Salt - By recreating old photos, these children of immigrants step into their parents’ shoes
i-D Magazine Sowing Rice with Salt - First gen kids recreate photos of their parents when they were younger
BOOOOOOOM “Sowing Rice with Salt” by Photographer Kyle Lui
AWARDS
2025 - Golden Shot Photography Award: Portrait - Second Place
2024 - Lensculture Emerging Talent Awards 2024: Winner
2024 - Booooooom: 2024 Book Award Shortlist
2024 - Life Framer - Portraits Competition: Winner
2024 - Urban Photo Awards: Semifinalist
2023 - 2023 Booooooom Photo Awards Winners: Long List
2023 - Analog Sparks: Honorable Mention
2023 - Review Santa Fe: Invitee
2022 - Magnum Foundation: Counter Histories Grant Shortlist
TEACHING
2024 Teaching Artist: Flushing International High School, Josephine Herrick Project
2024 Teaching Artist: Uncommon Collegiate Charter School, Josephine Herrick Project
Contact
kylelui38@gmail.com
@bykylelui
