Organizer: Three Shadows Xiamen Photography Art Centre
Opening: 15:00, January 15th, 2019
Duration: January 15th, 2019 - March 2th
(9:30-17:30 Closed on Mondays)
Location: Three Shadows Xiamen Photography Art Centre
(No. 301, Building 2, Xinglinwan Business Center, Jimei District, Xiamen)
It is said that in the dialect of southern China, “Hao Po” refers to grandmother (mother’s mother). However, in the Chinese context, the relationship between granddaughter and her mother’s mother mostly should be a little of alienated, but this does not work for Chenyang. She spent the whole girlhood with her granny until she left home for college. So, her memory is full of those warm pictures illustrating those lovely moments that she spent with her granny, and Hao Po is how Chengyang calls her.
To be honest, it is quite surprising to see those photographs in the first sight. This over 80 years old granny is really relaxed in front of her granddaughter’s lens. According to Chengyang, in fact, her granny truly resisted in the beginning. But her support on her granddaughter finally make her relent and they start to make something fun.
In an interview, Chenyang was asked why she will shoot her grandmother in this way. She replied “my granny has a childlike heart, I often shoot her just like I shooting girls, for I believe that being girl is a status instead of a matter of age. Girls are innocent, emotional and curious, while my granny is definitely one of them.
Granny loves milk tea, ice creams and playing games on iPad. Despite the weather-beaten skin, she is still openminded to the world and embraces new things with her ardent eyes, which is also her attitude towards photography.
“Oh, this is how art works! Let’s have fun!” Granny said with a smile.
As for Chenyang, just like what she presented through her clothing design, she is holding that naughty little girl’s heart as well. On WeChat, her ID is Mcdull, so I think she discovers herself on her granny, regardless age and body.
Chenyang likes to take everything on her own. She even designed a space suit for her granny and print the picture it on a T-shirt. It is really amusing that her granny put it on. “My granny is always my best model!” She said naturally. She is willing to keep shooting and shooting until her granny’s 100 years old.
It is so lovely to watch them, a young lady and her grandma. Once upon a time, when Chenyang is a little girl, granny shared various kinds of cakes and dumplings with her. While right now, she grows up and bring her loved photography, clothing design and all those funny things back to her granny, or precisely, to find pleasure in them together.
“The yellow-tressed old folk and the youngsters with flowing hair were all living in self-contentment.” I believe this is a better way, compared with the traditional ones, which the old depends on the young. In this case, photography becomes the media of happiness, documenting and presenting this joy.