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Huang Qingjun has traveled all over China photographing this collection called Jiadang (Belongings). His travels took him over 10 years to 14 of the 33 Chinese provinces. He wanted to document how these common Chinese resisted the temptation to run to the cities for modern lifestyle like most everyone else. The goal was to get a broad overview throughout the entire countryside, taking photographs of households with its members and all their possessions. Space isn’t wasted with unnecessary hoarding or excessive decorating. The subjects take pride in assets like livestock, tea kettles, a television set. More essential items include a pair of shoes or two, gardening tools, and a bike. Their cause is humble, to make a living and care for their family unit. “I wanted to shoot the families outside their homes with the items they lived with, so people could see the fast development and changing lifestyles Chinese families were experiencing both inside and outside of their homes.”
This piece is arranged with a message. These families live content in their crevice of the world with minimal belongings. They are not moved by society’s ugly chase after things and stuff and more. The honesty behind this series compels us to think again about our motives. The world we live in has more treasures available than just tangible ones.
via images © Huang Qingjun
