China: Freedom from Poverty
Group Exhibition
Curated by Dave Clark & Wang Xi

This exhibition introduces 10 new photographers based in China who explore stories related to China’s move out of poverty. The Chinese have lifted 400 million of their own people out of destitution over the past two decades. Yet, there have been no elections and the press is still under government control. This group exhibition considers the concept of individual freedom from poverty, and questions the global north’s assertion that political democracy is the most effective means to achieve it.

The concept for this exhibition is based around "intimacy” and all the photographers chosen are either Chinese or have lived in the region for some time. Subjects cover both the poorest communities in their struggle to move to follow former premier Deng Xiaoping’s dictum “poverty is not socialism, to be rich is glorious” as well as communities who are enjoying China’s new wealth. Amongst these essays is Chinese photographer Gai Yu Qiang’s portraits of Dalian Policemen in their homes. This very intimate look at a sector of society, known outside of Chinese borders only for their brutality, unveils a very different image and plays on the concept of “freedom”. The essay, along with others featured in this group exhibition, demonstrate a far more complex society than is normally portrayed with an undercurrent theme of a simple human struggle for a better life.

this area used to be a small fishing village, all the villagers are all very poor. now this area become a big industry place, and nearly all the fishman become workers. they can earn 500 US Dollar a month. about a Transsexual's story. this is his(or her) operation's pic.