An exhibition at Christie’s showcases stunning images celebrating Chinese culture
London: A young mountain girl dances for her grandmother in a quaint village in China. This heartwarming moment was captured in the winning photograph of the Global SinoPhoto Awards (GSPA) in 2020, titled The Dancing Dreams of a Mountain Girl by Huaifeng Li.
Now, this beautiful image is on display at Christie’s in St James’s, as part of a special exhibition celebrating the fifth anniversary of the awards. It’s open to the public just in time for the Chinese New Year and will be running until January 31.
The exhibition, called Culture Identified: Global SinoPhoto Awards Revisited 2020 – 2024, features 62 stunning images from 32 talented photographers who have participated in the awards since they began.
Curated by Sebah Chaudhry, each photograph tells a unique story, connecting Chinese culture with the wider world. One standout artist is Grace Lau, whose work 21st Century Types, 2023 challenges old-fashioned views of China.
Using a vintage Hasselblad camera, she set up a studio in Hastings, complete with Victorian props, and captured local residents with everyday items. This clever mix highlights the contrast between traditional cultural images and modern life.
Another intriguing piece is Day Dreamers by Eric Leleu, showing a worker napping on his bike in the street. This captures a common sight in China, where workers often take quick naps during their busy days.
Leleu’s work reveals a side of contemporary China that many don’t see, where personal moments blend into public life. It’s a reminder of the balance workers maintain in their hectic schedules.
Aurelien Chen’s photograph Resisting shows a barber shop standing amidst demolition. It’s a powerful image of life continuing despite destruction, with barbers and clients busy at work, holding onto memories of the place.
Over the past four years, the GSPA has gathered thousands of images from photographers across more than 40 countries. This year, they’re introducing a People’s Award, allowing exhibition visitors to vote for their favorite.
The GSPA was founded by Yintong Betser and Lynne Bryant, inspired by a famous exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York that celebrated shared human experiences through powerful photography.
Pictured above is The Dancing Dreams of a Mountain Girl by Huaifeng Li, the award-winning photograph from 2020.
