The Suzhou Mosaic — Documentary Series & Research Project

Suzhou, a city renowned for its intricate canals and classical gardens, provides the backdrop for a modern narrative of cultural integration. Our documentary series, The Suzhou Mosaic, explores this vibrant tapestry by intimately following the lives of individuals from across the globe who now call Suzhou home.

Each 20-minute episode serves as a close-up on a unique 'tile' in this urban mosaic—a professional, an artist, a student, a family. We observe how these distinct pieces, with their own colours and textures, find their place within the city's broader pattern. The project delves into their journeys of adapting traditions, building community, and weaving their personal narratives into the enduring social fabric of Suzhou.

As a university-based research initiative, this series employs visual ethnography to document the subtle processes of place-making and identity formation. It examines how a sense of belonging is consciously crafted at the intersection of the global and the local, offering profound insights into the dynamics of contemporary cultural exchange.