The Chinese Photobook, The Photographers’ Gallery
A glimpse of the radical changes in 20th century China in this Photographers' Gallery exhibition of Chinese photobooks
Interior selection from Selected Stage Photographs from Revolutionary Model
The Chinese Photobook | Photographers’ Gallery London 2015
The photobook is not an obvious medium for capturing the intensity of political change, but this carefully curated show at the Photographer’s Gallery reveals that in 20th century China, the photobook has proved to be an unflinching witness.
As the nation’s turbulent political history unfolded, from colonization in the early decades of the century to the Sino-Japanese War, Maoist Communism, Deng Xiaoping’s promises of economic reform in the 1980s, and beyond, photobook publishing is shown to possess complex powers as both a propaganda tool and an instrument of political change.
Photographers’ Gallery London exhibition
The rich diversity of material is structured in six chronological sections, featuring many works never seen outside China before. Don’t miss the compelling stage photographs from the Chinese Model Opera during Mao’s regime, or the rare early colour images of the ‘Manchukuo’ Empire under Japan.
This London photography exhibition’s modest title doesn’t do justice to the photobook’s deep historical significance as a document spanning an entire century of immense transformation in China.
The photobook is not an obvious medium for capturing the intensity of political change, but this carefully curated show at the Photographer’s Gallery reveals that in 20th century China, the photobook has proved to be an unflinching witness.
As the nation’s turbulent political history unfolded, from colonization in the early decades of the century to the Sino-Japanese War, Maoist Communism, Deng Xiaoping’s promises of economic reform in the 1980s, and beyond, photobook publishing is shown to possess complex powers as both a propaganda tool and an instrument of political change.
Photographers’ Gallery London exhibition
The rich diversity of material is structured in six chronological sections, featuring many works never seen outside China before. Don’t miss the compelling stage photographs from the Chinese Model Opera during Mao’s regime, or the rare early colour images of the ‘Manchukuo’ Empire under Japan.
This London photography exhibition’s modest title doesn’t do justice to the photobook’s deep historical significance as a document spanning an entire century of immense transformation in China.
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| What | The Chinese Photobook, The Photographers’ Gallery |
| Where | The Photographers' Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies Street, London, W1F 7LW | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Oxford Circus (underground) |
| When |
17 Apr 15 – 05 Jul 15, Monday – Friday: 10.00 – 18.00 Thursday: 10.00 – 20.00 Saturday: 10.00 – 18.00 Sunday: 11.30 – 18.00 |
| Price | £Free |
| Website | Click here for more details |