2025/26 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Ranran Hu

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

My work examines migration, displacement, and the sense of belonging through the act of walking. It includes an accordion photo book, a canvas map installation, and a map wall that integrates photographs, maps, and geographic markers. At the core of the project is a 5 hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds walk I took from my home to the Saint Paul International Airport—a route that symbolizes not only my personal journey to the United States but also reflects broader migratory experiences.

Walking serves as both a physical practice and a method of reflection. Along the way, images, texts, and visual narratives intertwine. What caught my attention were pedestrians without cars, families of different racial backgrounds, and visible traces of shifting social classes. Each photograph in the project captures these traces—movements through geography, randomness, and emotional flows. The accompanying maps document my path, integrate my reflections, and link personal memories to broader socio political narratives.

This project explores the experience of walking as an outsider along a path of displacement.

By combining images, maps, and text, I investigate how migration reshapes the relationship between people, geography, memory, and the self. My work explores how migration influences identity, and how both visual and textual language can articulate the experience of being in a foreign land—physically and emotionally.

What made you choose to come to MCAD for your MFA?

When I was in China, Tim, a photography teacher who had lived in MN for nine years, told me that MCAD was a great art college! So I researched Minneapolis and found it to be an artist-friendly community; plus, I love biking and nature. So I applied to MCAD.

Favorite thing about the program or the community (so far)?

1:1 Mentorship, I absolutely love my current mentor Leslie Grant.

What inspires you?

Traveling, talking to strangers, and focusing on the overlooked corners of everyday life.

Do you have a favorite piece you've made? Describe it!

My favorite piece so far is Everytime when I leave. This piece combines my interests in photography, abstract painting and color. I created this piece before coming to MCAD. It explores my understanding of gender relations and visualizes an emotion that I can't put into words.

Anything you're obsessed with at the moment?

Making books.

What's the best thing you've found on the Free Shelf?

All kinds of paper.