06/17/2026
Portraits - Winning image by Cecilia Wang
www.iamceciliawang.com / www.instagram.com/ceciliawangphotography
Life Framer comment - The photograph abounds in symbols and meaning, showcasing a very personal and creative style. Old and new lighting techniques merge seamlessly and offer the viewer a rich, colorful, and graceful scene. Even though the subject celebrates life like a deity, a certain sensitivity, fragility, and purity break through, reminding the viewer of the magic of human traits. We can be inspired, but ultimately, we can only be ourselves.
Photographer statement - Cup of Life. This photograph is inspired by the painting Bacchus by Caravaggio, as well as the Dionysian spirit described in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. In Nietzsche's thought, Dionysus symbolizes vitality, instinct, passion, chaos, and the irrepressible will to live.
While developing this project, I was searching for someone who truly embodied this life force -- not merely someone who resembled it outwardly. That is why I invited Paula to participate in this shoot. Paula once battled lymphoma, but through extraordinary strength and resilience, she overcame the disease. Her story is not simply about survival, but about choosing to live passionately even after enduring immense suffering. In her, I saw the true Dionysian spirit -- a force that embraces life despite hardship. This work is no longer just a recreation of classical painting, but an exploration of life, resilience, and the beauty of human nature. Through Paula, Dionysus is no longer merely a myth, but something that truly exists within us.
www.life-framer.com/portraits-2026