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Pictures that captured the ordinary
By Wu Huixin |
May 14, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
PHOTOGRAPHIC works of Zhou Haiying, the only son of Lu Xun, are on display in Zhejiang Art Museum through May 18.
Lu Xun was the pen name of Zhou Shuren, one of the major Chinese writers of the 20th century, considered by many to be the leading figure of modern Chinese literature.
This exhibition, entitled "Dark Room of the History," features 220 works classified into seven parts - including "Relatives and Friends," "Society" and "Study Abroad."
Zhou Haiying (1929-2011), a native of Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, began formally studying photography in 1946 and was one of the last generation of photographers in the Republic of China.
While Zhou took more than 20,000 photographs during his lifetime, his work was often overshadowed by the fact that he was the son of literary icon Lu.
However, Zhou's work is a treasure trove of valuable historical documents - and sometimes his status as Lu's son helped him get exclusive access.
For example, in 1948, patriots from all walks of life prepared to found the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Due to the high secrecy surrounding the event, no photographer was allowed to attend.
But among the patriots assembled were Zhou and his mother Xu Guangping. Zhou photographed the historical moments - which feature in the exhibition - ensuring there would be no gaps in history.
Zhou's father died in 1936 and the child began taking photographs when just 10 years old. Although short of money, Xu bought a camera for her son before they left Hong Kong in 1948. "That made it possible for me to record images of the 1940s and 1950s," Zhou once said to China News Agency.
From 1948, Zhou started to focus on the lives of the underprivileged in his work, developing his own style, perspective and emotion that seemed to distance him from the mainstream.
His "Refugee" series is a case in point. One photograph shows a little girl in shabby clothes, her eyes closed, reaching out for something, with a broken bowl, a bucket and a walking stick at hand.
In another picture, a man sits on the ground, his handicapped leg exposed.
This range of Zhou's works reflects the rough living conditions of the poor and the author's empathy.
"I have experienced the old society and I am sensitive to public opinion. The beggars and refugees in my photographs lived before and after liberation. I don't hunt for novelty, but record society," Zhou once said to China News Agency.
At the same time, Zhou photographed daily images of the middle class and intellectuals living in Shanghai longtang (alleys) and the positive life in New China. Folk customs, labor and other aspects of life were included in his works.
In a picture entitled "Reading a Newspaper," a bespectacled man sits reading while two girls look into the lens. This everyday scene captures people's daily dress and home furnishings in the 1950s.
At that time, photographers mainly took political and news pictures, while ordinary people could not afford to buy cameras. Zhou's focus on the everyday is invaluable - creating a precious source of historical detail.
Date: through May 18, 9am-5pm (closed on Mondays)
Address: 138 Nanshan Rd
Tel: (0571) 8707-8700
Lu Xun was the pen name of Zhou Shuren, one of the major Chinese writers of the 20th century, considered by many to be the leading figure of modern Chinese literature.
This exhibition, entitled "Dark Room of the History," features 220 works classified into seven parts - including "Relatives and Friends," "Society" and "Study Abroad."
Zhou Haiying (1929-2011), a native of Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, began formally studying photography in 1946 and was one of the last generation of photographers in the Republic of China.
While Zhou took more than 20,000 photographs during his lifetime, his work was often overshadowed by the fact that he was the son of literary icon Lu.
However, Zhou's work is a treasure trove of valuable historical documents - and sometimes his status as Lu's son helped him get exclusive access.
For example, in 1948, patriots from all walks of life prepared to found the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Due to the high secrecy surrounding the event, no photographer was allowed to attend.
But among the patriots assembled were Zhou and his mother Xu Guangping. Zhou photographed the historical moments - which feature in the exhibition - ensuring there would be no gaps in history.
Zhou's father died in 1936 and the child began taking photographs when just 10 years old. Although short of money, Xu bought a camera for her son before they left Hong Kong in 1948. "That made it possible for me to record images of the 1940s and 1950s," Zhou once said to China News Agency.
From 1948, Zhou started to focus on the lives of the underprivileged in his work, developing his own style, perspective and emotion that seemed to distance him from the mainstream.
His "Refugee" series is a case in point. One photograph shows a little girl in shabby clothes, her eyes closed, reaching out for something, with a broken bowl, a bucket and a walking stick at hand.
In another picture, a man sits on the ground, his handicapped leg exposed.
This range of Zhou's works reflects the rough living conditions of the poor and the author's empathy.
"I have experienced the old society and I am sensitive to public opinion. The beggars and refugees in my photographs lived before and after liberation. I don't hunt for novelty, but record society," Zhou once said to China News Agency.
At the same time, Zhou photographed daily images of the middle class and intellectuals living in Shanghai longtang (alleys) and the positive life in New China. Folk customs, labor and other aspects of life were included in his works.
In a picture entitled "Reading a Newspaper," a bespectacled man sits reading while two girls look into the lens. This everyday scene captures people's daily dress and home furnishings in the 1950s.
At that time, photographers mainly took political and news pictures, while ordinary people could not afford to buy cameras. Zhou's focus on the everyday is invaluable - creating a precious source of historical detail.
Date: through May 18, 9am-5pm (closed on Mondays)
Address: 138 Nanshan Rd
Tel: (0571) 8707-8700
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