简体中文
Time: January 23 to February 9, 2025
Location: South Coast Plaza, Level Two, Nordstrom Wing
On January 23, 2024, the highly anticipated “Nihao! China, See You in Guangdong” photography exhibition, featuring the works of world-class photographers, grandly opened at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, California. The exhibition attracted around fifty distinguished guests, including Cultural Consul Taiyu Wang from the Consulate General of People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles, and a representative of Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley. Through the lenses of four renowned American photographers, the exhibition showcased Guangdong’s vibrant Lingnan culture and the rapidly changing contemporary China.
On the opening day, the exhibition was held at South Coast Plaza, Level Two, Nordstrom Wing, where the gallery was beautifully adorned with red, elegant image panels, creating a festive atmosphere in celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Snake. A calligrapher was also present, writing Spring Festival couplets, along with other traditional cultural displays. A continuous flow of visitors paused to admire the photographs, with people from various cultural backgrounds expressing great interest in the images, immersing themselves in the vivid visual stories. Many visitors engaged in in-depth discussions with the photographers, exploring Guangdong’s unique culture and the insights they gained during the photographic journey.
The exhibition displayed 48 selected works, all taken by four Pulitzer Prize-winning and experienced photographers: Nick Ut, renowned for his iconic photo “The Terror of War”, Ringo Chiu, the first Chinese-American photographer to win a Pulitzer Prize, Irfan Khan, a senior journalist at the Los Angeles Times, and Michael Nelson, former chief photographer of AFP’s Western U.S. Bureau.
The 48 pieces on display were carefully selected from the photographers’ work in Guangdong, featuring vibrant depictions of Yao ethnic culture, the contrast between Guangzhou’s millennia-old history and modern progress, the heritage of Chaozhou Yingge dance, and even dynamic moments of Southern-style Kung Fu. The exhibition not only showcased the unique charm of classic Cantonese cuisine but also highlighted the happy lives of Guangdong’s people and the active, forward-looking spirit of its youth.
As part of the 2025 “Happy Lunar New Year” celebrations, this photography exhibition aims to present the natural beauty and cultural richness of Guangdong to the people of Southern California while sending warm wishes for the upcoming Snake Year. The exhibition is organized by the Consulate General of People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles and GDToday, with South Coast Plaza and the Chinese Culture Development Center co-hosting. It opens to the public until February 9, 2025.
During the opening ceremony, renowned photographer Nick Ut shared with the media: “I have been to China many times, and each time I discover a new aspect of its charm. My trip to Guangdong left a deep impression on me, and through these photos, I hope to share the beauty of China with American audiences.” Fellow photographer Irfan Khan also shared his experience in Guangdong: “This trip allowed me to see a real China, especially the progressive and open spirit of the younger generation in Guangdong, which deeply moved me.”
Taiyu Wang, Cultural Consul from People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles, pointed out that through these photographic works, audiences could gain a better understanding of Chinese culture, social development, and the lives of the Chinese people, thus promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and the United States. Donghai Xu, Executive Vice President of the Chinese Culture Development Center, emphasized that similar events would be organized in the future, using the lenses of American photographers to promote cultural exchange and mutual appreciation between China and the U.S.
In November 2024, at the invitation of GDToday, the four photographers embarked on an eleven-day photography journey through six cities in Guangdong Province: Guangzhou, Qingyuan, Dongguan, Shantou, Zhongshan, and Foshan. They captured the everyday lives of the people in Guangdong, the region’s unique customs, and its rich cultural heritage, showcasing the Lingnan style, traditional arts, and the transformations of modern China.
Live Photo
