Introducing

Gladys Lu
Writer and publisher

Gladys Lu is a writer, visual artist, and filmmaker based in San Francisco. Born and raised in Suzhou, China, and having lived on both the East and West Coasts of the United States, her work explores land, the natural world, cultural traditions, and her personal and collective diaspora experience. As a writer and translator, she writes in both English and Chinese. She writes essays, prose, poetry, and biographies. As a photographer, she shoots landscapes and portraiture.  In her alternative printing practice, she approaches imagery with an analog and organic process. She uses expired film rolls and instant film as canvas, and incorporates natural forces such as sunlight, water, and plants as developers for her image. She also goes into her pantry and experiments with ingredients including salt, vinegar, alcohol, baking soda… The dialogue around impermanence and eco-friendly elements is the fuel of her curiosity as a visual artist.  As an altar artist, Gladys creates and has contributed to public art installations for communities to gather and grieve. Her past work includes Mandala Altar for the Marigold Project, Floor Buddha Altar for Meditation for San Francisco Dharma Coll

I am an artist and historian living in San Francisco, California where I make work about polar exploration, World War I, love, and memory.