This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view the work by Hong Kong photographer, Nancy Sheung. This is only the second time that Nancy’s work has been shown in the UK. Nancy’s work is often focused on the female and has a strong emphasis on patterns and lines. It stands out from her contemporaries in its approach and boldness which continues to remain fresh to viewers today. Nancy Sheung (1914 – 1979) was a member of the Royal Photographic Society and the Vice President of the Photographic Society of Hong Kong in the 1970s.
In this exhibition you can see Nancy’s progression as a photographer as she moves from a traditional approach to a contemporary one. Her earlier photographs tend to show traditional subjects such as the fishing boats and landscape in Hong Kong. As she experimented with new camera techniques and learnt new darkroom skills, she brought her own creativity to her photography.
Nancy was born in Suzhou, China, to a well-to-do family. She moved to Hong Kong in the 1940s and successfully established her own business in construction and architecture. She turned to photography in her 40s. In a world that was dominated by men, she developed her distinctive style which combines Asian aesthetic with a modernity inspired by the European and American photography of her time.
The exhibition is curated by Dr Michael Pritchard, photographic historian, and Director of Programmes at the Royal Photographic Society, Bristol. It was first shown as part of Photo Oxford 2021.
Exhibition Talks:
21 September 18:30 – 19:30 includes Q&A (Online Zoom)
Nancy Sheung and the Royal Photographic Society
5 October 18:30 – 19:30 includes Q&A (Online Zoom)
Nancy Sheung: Rediscovering My Grandmother the Artist
The exhibition is supported by the Confucius Institute, Oxford Brookes University.
