BOOK SPECIFICATIONS
Artwork, Concept, and Design: Nyo Jinyong Lian
First Edition: Spring 2025
Print Run: 100 copies
Printed and bound in China
Binding Type: Exposed Smyth-sewn binding with hollow spine
Dimensions: 21.25 × 27.5 cm
Pages: 80
« The book Trust Me unfolds a series of semi-fictional portraits of Asian women, exploring the nuances of self-doubt and the psychological instability they navigate. The project Trust Me is both an assertion of subjectivity and an invitation to engage in a broader dialogue on identity, agency, and psychological uncertainty. Its structure disrupts traditional reading experiences through the use of gatefold pages, transforming the book into a dynamic, interactive space. Each foldout creates a dual reality: a linear, sequential narrative and a concealed, compressed space—one that remains hidden until the reader actively engages with it. This tension between visibility and obscurity reflects the psychological themes of the work, reinforcing the fragmented and layered nature of identity. By requiring the viewer to physically unfold and reveal images, Trust Me reconfigures the act of looking itself. The book becomes a site of discovery, where images lie in waiting like uncharted coordinates, inviting readers to forge connections in multiple ways. Through this interplay of revelation and concealment, the work challenges fixed narratives and offers a more fluid, participatory approach to storytelling. »
This book would not exist as it does without the generosity, honest critique, and unwavering support of my closest friends and family, who patiently stood by me through countless moments of uncertainty. I am especially grateful to Jiaqi Song—her thoughtful advice on image editing, design decisions, and the book’s overall pacing became both the backbone and the soul of this work. May these pages wander freely and gently unfold into the unseen creases of the heart.
