Photography | Graduation Series 2025
As part of our graduation series, we delve into the journeys of students who are working towards graduation and are preparing for a new chapter after graduating. Through interviews, we explore their initial ideas, research processes, and the range of emotions that come with nearing the end of their time at the academy.
In his final year at WdKA, Tyler Chan has been on a mission: that has taken him from New York’s Chinatown to the alleyways of Guangzhou, from hip-hop basements in Paris. His graduation project weaves a global narrative of the Chinese diaspora, brought together through the beat of rap, the lens of documentary photography, and a deep desire to challenge cultural stereotypes.
“I’m a 23-year-old documentary photographer, originally from New York and New Jersey,” Tyler introduces himself. “My work is about Chinese communities around the world. It started with trying to document all of Asia, but I realized I could make something more honest if I focused directly on my own story and background.”
A Portrait of Global Chinese Identity
Tyler’s project is anything but conventional. Across continents, he’s connected with outspoken creatives across the Chinese diaspora. Mostly hip-hop artists who defy cultural expectations around conformity and silence. “There’s this stereotype: that Asians, or Chinese people, just want to keep their heads down, blend in, not make noise. But the people I’ve met and photographed are the opposite. They’re loud, expressive, and creative; exactly the kind of people I gravitate towards.”
From breakdance freestyling in Rotterdam to rap shows in Chengdu, Tyler’s camera becomes both observer and participant. His intimate portraits and documentary-style imagery showcase not only the artists, but the communities that support them.
“I’m photographing my community,” Tyler says. “Even if we’ve never met before, there’s this immediate connection. We’ve lived through the same stuff; being the butt of racist jokes at school, pressure from family, not being expected to make it in the arts. But we did. And I want to show that.”
From Personal Roots to Global Resonance
The project is also deeply personal. Tyler grew up speaking Cantonese and was close to all four of his grandparents, something he now cherishes more than ever. “The first work I made at WdKA was about my family. Self-portraits with my grandparents, documenting our relationship. It was about honoring them, because they made it possible for me to be here, doing this.”
A pivotal moment came when Tyler returned to Guangzhou, the city his family is from, for the first time. “I walked the streets and thought, this is where everything started. It gave me perspective. And the crazy thing? Some streets looked just like Chinatown in New York. It reminded me how much of our culture we’ve carried around the world.”
But it’s not just nostalgia or preservation. Tyler is focused on what’s next: how Chinese identity evolves, how it can be loud, proud, and diverse.
Photography as Community-Building
Tyler’s approach goes beyond image-making, he sees photography as a way to build community. “I never just show up to shoot. I talk to people. We hang out. They give me a tour of their neighborhood. I get access to their world, and that’s a privilege I don’t take lightly. Every photo is about trust.”
That authenticity translates into a rich and varied body of work. From candid moments over shared meals to sharply lit studio portraits, Tyler’s graduation project spans years of travel, conversation, and cultural exchange.
From Student to Professional
Tyler started his graduation project more than a year ago, with a clear sense of purpose. “I knew this was going to be my bridge into the professional world. I’m not from the Netherlands, so I have to prove myself here. And I’ve been working nonstop to do that.”
His hard work is already paying off. With exhibitions across Europe and the US, and an expanding network of collaborators, Tyler’s next chapter looks bright. He plans to continue assisting his mentor Stacii Samidin and working toward opening a gallery space in Rotterdam.
“After graduation, it’s just life. No school schedule, just me. I don’t know exactly what’s next, but I’m inviting every curator I’ve ever met to the show,” he laughs. “This project isn’t just for school. It’s the start of something bigger.”
Advice for Future Students
For those just starting their WdKA journey, Tyler offers simple but powerful advice: “Don’t be nervous. Everyone starts feeling like they don’t belong. But you do. Ask questions. Use the resources.”
