Our Artists Wang Yuanling
Born in 1980 in China’s Chongqing Municipality, Wang Yuanling received a degree in Chinese Language and Literature before beginning to work as a photographer.
Full biography of Wang Yuanling
About the series: River basins
Born and bred on the banks of the Yangtze River, Wang Yuanling naturally turned his camera to the people whose lives are shaped by its waters. His images of his home town, Chongqing, tell the story not only of that place, but also of daily life across China.
5 QUESTIONS FOR WANG YUANLING ABOUT HIS SERIES
Why did you choose this subject?
It reflects my personal experience. I was born and bred in a city along the Yangtze River. The river made me who I am today. I believe it does the same for others living a similar life here. The Chinese civilization originated along the Yangtze River and Yellow River. Therefore, choosing this subject is not only to observe the life of the riverside people, but also to observe the country as a whole.
What do you see when you look at these photos?
They revealed a mixture of warmth and irony. This is what I feel to be the way of life of people living in China nowadays.
What research and production did you go through to make these images?
My observation is that of the current photo projects regarding modern China, few were focusing on the day-to-day life of ordinary people in this country. I’m determined to fill gap.
Do your images help the viewer understand the subject in a new way?
I guess so. The project is still developing, and I’ve yet to present it in its completed shape. Hence, there hasn’t been much feedback from the audience yet.
What did you learn by making these images?
I learned to love this country, as well as the world.
