Ren Hang (1987-2017) was a Chinese photographer and poet whose work explored themes of sexuality, youth, and identity. Born in Changchun, Jilin Province, Ren began taking photographs at the age of 20 while studying advertising at the Communication University of China in Beijing. His work quickly gained attention for its bold and provocative imagery, often featuring nude models in surreal and playful poses.
Ren's photographs were widely exhibited in galleries around the world, including solo shows at the Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam in 2016 and the Red Brick Art Museum in Beijing in 2017. He also published several books of his photography, including Ren Hang (2015), Naked (2016), and The Last Book (2017).
In addition to his photography, Ren was also an accomplished poet. His poetry collections include I Don't Want To Go To Heaven (2013) and I Don't Want To Go Home (2014).
Ren Hang died on February 24th 2017 at the age of 29. His death was ruled a suicide by Chinese authorities. In the years since his death, Ren's work has been celebrated as a powerful exploration of identity and sexuality that continues to inspire photographers around the world.