The Youthful Energy of Changing China

Speaker: Adrian Bradshaw, British Photojournalist

The Youthful Energy of Changing China
China 1980s: the beginning of the era of reform and opening up

As part of the Global SinoPhoto Award (GSPA)2021 exhibition programme, we invite British photojournalist Adrian Bradshaw to share his experiences on documenting China’s transformation over the past three decades. Bradshaw’s photo, titled Swimmer, was one of the highly commended photos in the Water Category in the GSPA 2021 competition.

Bradshaw went to Beijing in 1984, during the early years of China’s era of reform and opening up, to study Mandarin. He then went on to stay longer than any other overseas photojournalist, bringing unique empathy and understanding to his subjects. In his twenties, Bradshaw spent his time amongst young Chinese people who drove the changes and built many aspects of 21st Century China. His photos display the growing interest of consumer goods, food, fashion, and hair trends in both the cities and the countryside as China transformed. In front of his lens were the artists, farmers, entrepreneurs and industrialists whose enthusiasm and positivity made things happen. This energy that shaped the history is still bursting forth today.

This is a rare opportunity to learn first-hand experience of a photojournalist who witnessed China’s social, economic and cultural changes.

Attendees for this talk will receive 25% discount on standard edition of Adrian Bradshaw’s photobook, The Door Opened: 1980s China Photography. First ten books will be signed by Adrian. Learn more about Adrian’s photobook here.

Please note: Event joining information and discount code will be sent nearer to the time, in a different email.

Swimmer, Adrian Bradshaw, Beijing, China, 1985. 《游泳人》© Adrian Bradshaw. Global SinoPhoto Awards 2021 Water category Highly Commended