China, with its population of over 1 billion and vast land mass, is one of the world’s modern superpowers. Famous for The Great Wall and The Forbidden City, China also has a rich photographic history which began with the arrival of the first European photographers in Macao during the mid-19th century.
Early photography in China had a uniquely Chinese aspect- inspired by the traditional painting techniques of the era. Some photographers actually painted calligraphy over their photos, in the style of the Literati painters. Since then Chinese photography has evolved to encompass a wide variety of genres and styles, and become an essential tool for expressing dissent and revolt.
1. Anna Rita Carrisi – “Acrobatics at the horse festival”, Litang, Sichuan (Western Tibet)
Anna Rita Carrisi‘s portrayal of a rider performing acrobatics during Tibet’s Litang Festival is truly extraordinary. The intricacies of the rider’s expressive garments, echoed by the fellow performers in the background, coupled with the adorned horse, the myriad tiny yellow and white wildflowers underfoot, and the backdrop of hazy, cloud-tipped mountains resembling a watercolor painting, capture the essence of this performance. This image not only reflects the festival’s vitality, an important part of Tibetan culture, but also highlights the challenges it faces, as it is not held every year due to restrictions from the Chinese government which at times, limit or even prohibit large community gatherings.
2. Attila Balogh – “Larung Gar”
This striking image by Shangai-based photographer Attila Balogh, portrays the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, the world’s largest monastery, which sits 4000 meters high in the Larung Valley, Serthar County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Founded in 1980 by Jigme Phuntsok, an influential lama of the Nyingma tradition, the institute expanded from just a handful of disciples to one of the largest and most influential centers for the study of Tibetan Buddhism. Surrounding the giant monastery are thousands of makeshift wooden dwellings, home to devotees who must brave harsh conditions in the isolated mountains, with winter temperatures dropping to minus 30 degrees Celsius.
In 2001, the Chinese government demolished around 2000 huts in an attempt to curb the growth of the institute. However, it is believed that more than 1000 new huts are constructed every year, highlighting the persistent expansion of this significant center of Tibetan Buddhist learning.
3. Patrick Wack – A young Uighur-minority seasonal worker poses on the last days of the cotton harvest in Luntai county, Xinjiang
Patrick Wack‘s image depicts a Uighur-minority seasonal worker posing during the last days of the cotton harvest in Luntai County. Cotton is one of the largest agricultural industries in the province, with many local Uighurs employed as cheap seasonal labor during the harvest.
The image is taken from Wack’s series “Out West”, in which the French documentary photographer traveled to Xinjiang, China’s westernmost region, aiming to capture its essence in a manner reminiscent of iconic American photographers documenting their homeland. Xinjiang, literally translated as “New Frontier,” was once home to the first leg of the Silk Road, the conduit connecting China to Central Asia and Europe.
Wack’s medium-format imagery thoughtfully captures the diverse, rugged landscapes, minority faiths, and often marginalized cultures distinct from the dominant Han Chinese, collectively painting an absorbing and nuanced portrait of a region largely omitted from popular perceptions of the country.
4. Joshua Cavalier – Jinshanling, The Great Wall
Jinshanling is a section of the Great Wall of China located in the mountainous area of Hebei Province, 125 km northeast of Beijing. Built in 1570 CE during the Ming dynasty, this section spans 10.5 km and includes 5 passes, 67 towers, and 3 beacon towers. Beautifully framed and captured at dusk, the epic structure winds through verdant landscapes, stretching into the distance where the endless backdrop of mountains fades into the auburn sky. Joshua Cavalier‘s stunning photograph offers a fresh perspective on a much-photographed landmark, capturing the iconic symbol of China in all its majesty.
5. Jeff Widener – Tank Man, Tiananmen Square, Beijing, 1989
One day after the Tiananmen Square massacre, in which Chinese military troops attacked pro-democracy demonstrators on the historic plaza, Jeff Widener was sent on assignment to document the aftermath. As he photographed the victims, a line of tanks began to roll out onto the plaza. Hoping to shoot the tanks, Widener focussed on the machines just as a man holding a shopping bag stepped in front of them, waving his arms and refusing to move.
As the tanks tried to go around him, the man would repeatedly step into their path, at one point climbing on top of them. Surprisingly the man wasn’t shot dead by the tanks but eventually he was taken away by soldiers, his identity unknown. This single act of resistance made “Tank Man” a global hero- a brave, anonymous figure who became a universal symbol of resistance.
6. Ren Hang – Untitled, 2016
Ren Hang, one of the brightest stars of the modern contemporary photography scene tragically took his own life in 2017 after enduring intimidation and censorship from the Chinese Authorities throughout his career. The People’s Republic of China has banned pornographic images since 1949, but despite these limitations, Hang made sexually explicit photography to celebrate his own freedom.
Hang was a self-taught photographer who often used flash photography in his work. Usually featuring nude bodies in contorted poses, Hang also used photography as a tool to deal with his lifelong depression. His work helped to break through the taboos of nudity which is highly enforced in Chinese society.
7. Ai Weiwei – Lu Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, 1994
Ai Weiwei is the most famous Chinese contemporary artist and activist living today. As an activist, he has called attention to the Chinese Government’s human rights violations and stance on democracy. As an artist he has expanded his practice to merge form and politics, acting as one of the earliest conceptual artists to incorporate social media in his practice. He has widely investigated government cover-ups and in 2011 he was held for 81 days without any official charges being filed, loosely accused of “economic crimes”. He has repeatedly been held under house arrest, and subjected to surveillance and police brutality. His art is always angry, humorous and political- this photo of his wife, Lu Qing, lifting her skirts at Tiananmen square is no exception.
8. Greg Girard – Bar Interior, Wanchai, Hong Kong, 1985
“When people were finishing high school, they were mostly going to Europe, and that didn’t interest me” reflects Girard on his decision to visit Hong Kong as an 18 year old. He claims to have been captivated by the neon billboards of Asia, and set off on a journey through the fluctuating landscapes of Asian metropolises that lasted for decades. He has now become famous for his neon-lit, moody and lonesome nocturnal images that casts the ugly modernity of cities in the most beautiful light.
9. “Lijiang Impressions Show” – Mustafa AbdulHadi
This breathtaking image by Mustafa AbdulHadi, depicts one of the most spectacular open-air performances on the planet, “Impression Lijiang,” a magnificent outdoor singing and dancing spectacle featuring more than 500 local people from ten different ethnic groups. Set against the stunning backdrop of Jade Snow Mountain in China’s beautiful southwestern province of Yunnan, the performance takes place north of Lijiang, at 3,100 meters (10,100 feet) above sea level. It serves as a breathtaking tribute to the cultural heritage of China’s ethnic minority groups, offering a spectacular showcase of their traditions and customs.
10. Niall Chang – “Fishing nets at Xiapu”
This captivating image portrays a fisherman heading home at dusk in the Xiapu region of the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian. The Xiapu mudflats, enriched by the pleasant seawater temperature and abundant sunshine, are teeming with shellfish. Locals living along the coast primarily engage in marine culture, using bamboo poles, fishing nets, and stone columns inserted into the mudflats to dry kelp, laver, oysters, and other marine products. As the sun rises and sets, and the tide ebbs and flows, these elements create various spectacular compositions, such as this one, captured beautifully by Sydney-based photographer Niall Chang.
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Article updated June 2024