William Chan in Zhuhai
The Zhuhai Guyuan Museum of Art (古元美術館)*, situated in the adjacent city’s Xiangzhou district, is currently the venue for the 19th China International Photographic Art Exhibition.
This exhibition kicked off in November and will run until February 16, with the goal of promoting Chinese culture, showcasing the country’s image, nurturing photographic talent, and fostering international cultural exchanges and cooperation, according to a statement by the organiser.
Founded by the China Photographers Association in 1981, the association has since organised 19 editions, attracting over 110,000 photographers from 123 countries and regions, with more than 1.14 million entries submitted for evaluation, according to a statement from the exhibition.
The statement noted that this year’s exhibition received submissions from over 20,000 photographers hailing from 123 countries and regions. Following evaluation by domestic and international photography experts, 276 exceptional works were selected for display.
The exhibition is structured around three thematic categories. The “Warmth” theme category focuses on capturing culture, family, ceremonies, daily life, and animals. The photos of the exhibition, according to the statement, aim to underscore how warmth is both received and emitted, emphasising the transformative power of love and care when shared by all.
Under the “Documentary” category, works depict various subjects such as social life, natural ecology, and traditions, encompassing news photography, special reports, social and cultural documentary photography, and nature documentary photography. Notably, one of the sections of the exhibition has been dedicated to French photographers whose journalistic works feature memorable images published in newspapers and magazines, offering insights into life in France.
In the unthemed “Art” category, the diverse array of works covers cultural landscapes, traditions, figures, still life, flora and fauna, landscapes, as well as creative, conceptual, and experimental photography, among other styles and themes.
The exhibition is free admission and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesdays to Sundays. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance via the museum’s WeChat Mini Programme.
* The public art gallery, established in 2008 and named after the renowned artist Gu Yuan (1919-1996), is Zhuhai’s first city art museum. Following its reconstruction, it officially reopened to the public on August 9.
Photos: Celine Sou
