The answer is relatively straightforward. 

"I used text-to-image AI (artificial intelligence) tools such as Midjourney to create most photos of the series and wove them with the photos I captured with a camera," Chen told the China Daily website in a recent interview. The Shanghai-based artist shared that Belly of the Giant Serpent, inspired by his experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to hint at the collective trauma it has caused. 

"In my creations, I have a penchant for metaphor and fiction, as I find overtly direct expression tedious or even dangerous," he said.

Unlike most other professional lens-based artists contending for the prize, Chen, 30, is an image enthusiast turned photographer whose journey into photography began at university. The emerging artist holds a bachelor's degree in geology and a master's in comparative education.