Hailun Ma, a photographer originally from China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, has been drawing attention for her evocative images capturing the lives and styles of women in her native land. During a 2019 visit back to Xinjiang, Ma, then in her mid-20s, encountered a group of ethnically Kazakh women gathered for a wedding celebration, an encounter that highlights her recent work’s focus on the juxtaposition of tradition and contemporary influences.

Ma, who grew up in Ürümqi, Xinjiang’s capital, spent her late teens and early twenties studying fine-art photography in New York. Initially pursuing fashion photography for her master’s degree, she found herself disenchanted with the program until she reconnected with her homeland and began drawing inspiration from the women around her — including family members such as her grandmother, aunts, and sisters — and the ways they expressed identity through clothing.

This realization sparked a shift in Ma’s photographic approach, prompting her to revisit Xinjiang repeatedly to document young people who blend global trends with local customs. Her subjects often incorporate international fashion elements like Nike tracksuits and fishnet stockings alongside traditional attire, revealing a dynamic, hybrid cultural expression. Ma’s style merges documentary realism with subtle artistic touches, sometimes accessorizing her subjects to introduce a layer of imaginative narrative.

One notable moment occurred during a chance encounter at a roadside convenience store owned by a Kazakh family. A newlywed woman invited Ma to her home for tea, where Ma found a gathering of female relatives celebrating the wedding. The women changed into more ornate scarves—described by Ma as “bling bling”—to pose for a group photograph. Ma, seeking to enhance the composition, gave the bride a belt to wear. She captured a single candid image of the bride reclining with her mother’s hand resting naturally on her, a scene reflecting both cultural tradition and personal intimacy.

Currently, Ma’s work is exhibited in Amsterdam, showcasing her ongoing engagement with questions of identity, culture, and self-expression in Xinjiang. Her photographs offer a nuanced perspective on the lives of women in a region often depicted through geopolitical or ethnic controversies, emphasizing the interwoven realities of heritage and contemporary life. The exhibition runs through January 20 at Foam in Amsterdam.