Exhibition shows evolution of mainland conceptual photography

New Framework: Chinese Avant-Garde Photography 1980s-90s Blindspot Gallery

Blindspot Gallery’s latest exhibition tells the story of contemporary China – one that is seen through mainland artists who saw the need to have their own independent and critical voice.

Most of these images are raw, revealing and iconic. RongRong, the curator of the group exhibition, is one the 12 photographers showcased who were influential in the evolution of Chinese photography during those two monumental decades that saw rapid and drastic changes sweeping across the mainland. These include Ai Weiwei, Gu Zheng, Han Lei, Hong Lei, Jiang Zhi, Liu Zheng, Mo Yi, Qiu Zhijie Zhang Haier, Zhao Liang and Zheng Guogu.

“In the past, photography was mainly used for political propaganda and for practical purposes. But since the 1980s many self-initiated, independent photographers started using it to express their own thoughts and produced many experimental works,” says RongRong, who was born Lu Zhirong.

“The title of the show, ‘New Framework’, echoes the fact that these works were created beyond the notion of servicing certain officials or institutions. Their works embody the photographers’ personal voices and attitude towards society. They are representative because they created a new direction.”

The 12 photographers are all considered important photographers. They contributed to the different styles and movements that moved China’s photography from the “new documentary” style to more conceptual and experimental works.

But RongRong says that, irrespective of how they have been described, what ties these artists together is that they are all true to their feelings.