HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL students join youth photo exhibition in Nanjing

On May 30, 2025, three students from the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL took part in the opening of the “New Wave” Nanjing International Youth Image Exhibition. The exhibition is a curated showcase featuring works by emerging artists from around the world and is organized by the Photography Department of Nanjing University of the Arts.

The exhibition marks an early result of a developing partnership between the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and Nanjing University of the Arts. It was kindly proposed by Jia Fang, Associate Professor and Director of the Photography Department at the School of Media Arts and Communication, following his participation in the recent HSE Creative International seminar organized by the HSE Institute for Creative Industries Development. During this seminar, representatives from Chinese universities with creative industry programs and their Russian counterparts explored different potential forms of partnership — such as joint exhibitions, creative competitions, and academic programs. On the HSE side, the exhibition was curated by Maryana Dainorovich, Director of Development for the Contemporary Art Division, with the exhibition design created by the HSE Design Laboratory.

Here are the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL students who presented their work as part of the school’s annual end-of-year exhibition for final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students:

Elena Lapina is a fourth-year Photography student. She previously worked as a freelance photojournalist for the Ural branch of Kommersant (2020–2021) and has taken part in group exhibitions at MOMMA, HSE ART GALLERY, and the PERMM Museum of Contemporary Art.

Daria Blinova is a photographer, designer, and brand manager. Her work has been featured in group exhibitions at the PopUp Museum, ArtMoscow, the Museum of Fashion, and HSE ART GALLERY. In 2024, she held her first solo exhibition, Pink Lens Up. She is the author of two photobooks: Heyday (2022) and The City Praised by the Camera (2024). Her photography has appeared in international publications, including Badlon Magazine, Nasty Magazine, and PAP Korea.

Maria Elyutina is a Photography student. Her work combines photography with embroidery and collage, and currently explores how people relate to and interact with their surroundings.

HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL students’ participation in the exhibition reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to learning beyond the classroom. By connecting with artists from around the world, students gain hands-on experience and expand their creative outlook, preparing them for work in a global artistic landscape and fostering meaningful cross-cultural exchange.