An exhibition of historical photographs of China, brought together by a University of Bristol project, was opened at the JW Marriott in Beijing

29-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — An exhibition of historical photographs of China, brought together by a University of Bristol project, was opened at the JW Marriott in Beijing today by the British Ambassador to China, Sebastian Wood CMG.

Organised by the British Embassy in Beijing, the exhibit presents China as seen through camera lenses dating back as far as 1870.  This is the first time this exhibition has been displayed outside of the UK.

The photographs come from the ‘Historical Photographs of China’ project at the University of Bristol.  The project sources and digitises images of life in China gathered from private collections of photographs taken, commissioned or purchased by the tens of thousands of Britons who lived in or visited China from the 1870s until the 1950s.

The exhibition Picturing China 1870-1950: Photographs from British Collections presents a wealth of images of a country undergoing rapid change in its society, culture and heritage as well as providing snapshots of expatriate life at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.

Sebastian Wood, British Ambassador to China, said: “These wonderful images from British collections provide a unique visual record of the longstanding shared history between the UK and China.  They are a reminder of the strength and depth of our relationship, one which is increasingly important to both countries as China continues its development.”

Professor Robert Bickers, Director of the ‘Historical Photographs of China’ project at the University of Bristol, said: “Our project is sustained through the generosity of British-based families whose forebears lived and worked in China, or visited it, and who come forward with wonderfully rich historical materials.  Many of these have never been seen before outside their homes, and it is wonderful to be able to share them with audiences in China through this exhibition.”

Dr Alicia Greated, Director of Research Councils UK (RCUK), China, said: “These inspiring photographs bring to life many months of research and investigation and demonstrate the long lasting friendship between the UK and China.  Research Councils UK and Chinese funding agencies have made significant steps in enhancing our collaborative research programmes.  We very much look forward to further progressing this partnership in the future.”

David Wilson, Managing Director of JW Marriott Hotel Beijing, said: “We are delighted to host this exhibition, Picturing China 1870-1950: Photographs from British Collections, with the British Embassy Beijing.  It gives us the chance to share images of Chinese culture and heritage in bygone times with our guests living or travelling in Beijing, images which we are sure will leave a lasting impression.”

The Beijing exhibition, Picturing China 1870-1950: Photographs from British Collections, has been sponsored by the JW Marriott Hotel Beijing.  The images on display come from the ‘Historical Photographs of China’ project at the University of Bristol, which is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council through the British Inter-university China Centre, and the British Academy.

The ‘Historical Photographs of China’ project is based at the University of Bristol. The project seeks to locate, and digitise for preservation and dissemination, photographs of China held in private hands in the United Kingdom. The project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council through the British Inter-university China Centre, the British Academy and JISC.  It is directed by Professor Robert Bickers; the Project Digitization Officer is Jamie Carstairs.

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Dr and Mrs Elliott on their wedding day  Image by © Mary-Jane Steer

Dr and Mrs Elliott on their wedding day
Image by © Mary-Jane Steer

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