Second Faces

Rowena Gao

A detailed close-up of a person's lower arm, covered by a blue knitted sweater, and hand, against a dark denim background. The left wrist features a silver Sector chronograph watch with a black leather strap, two beaded bracelets (white cracked howlite, black lava stone, and tiger's eye-like beads), and a black paisley bandana. The right hand, with a dark, multi-grooved ring on the ring finger, firmly holds a vintage Ricoh film camera with its black lens and a silver-grey body, along with a black woven camera strap.

Second Faces explores how people express themselves through their hands and arms. Photographing accessories, tattoos, and nail styles, the series examines how hands can function as a second face — revealing personality, history, and identity in ways that are easy to overlook. Each subject was photographed in a location of their own choosing, grounding the images in spaces that carry personal meaning and deepening the connection between person and place.

    About The Artist

    A graphic with white sans-serif text 'Inhale' clearly visible, positioned above the word 'Exhale' which is partially transparent and fades downwards. The background is a gradient, shifting from a dark, muted blue-grey at the top to a very light, almost white-blue at the bottom, all overlaid with a consistent, fine grainy texture.

    Rowena Gao

    Rowena Gao is a photographer who finds inspiration in the small details of everyday life. Her work experiments across different approaches and art forms, driven by a curiosity about how ordinary moments can reveal something deeper about the people and spaces within them.

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