Jimei x Arles Discovery Award
The Jimei × Arles International Photography Festival officially opened on November 29, 2024, unveiling the tenth winner of the prestigious JIMEI × ARLES Discovery Award at the conclusion of its opening week program.
Since its inception, the Jimei × Arles Discovery Award has been dedicated to discovering and promoting exceptional Chinese photographers on the global stage. In partnership with the lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu, the award continues to celebrate emerging talent within the Chinese photography scene. This year’s winner will receive a prize of RMB 100,000 (pre-tax), generously supported by Xiaohongshu, and will be invited to present a solo exhibition at the following edition of the Rencontres d'Arles in France, showcasing the vitality of contemporary Chinese photography.
The finalist artists of this year’s "Jimei × Arles Discovery Award" include Alice Wang (Exhibition: The Earth is Plummeting Towards the Sun While Just Missing It) and Alison Chen (Exhibition: A Hole to the Water), nominated by curators Gan Yingying & Zhou Yichen; Kanthy Peng (Exhibition: Angelus Novus) and Zheng Andong (Exhibition: How to [Un]name a Tree), nominated by curator Michael Guo; Ivy Ma (Exhibition: Bird of Shape) and Yuk Mui Law (Exhibition: Song of the Exile, Scene II), nominated by curator Chris Wan Feng; Jia Yu (Exhibition: Strangers) and Xu Zhe (Exhibition: In Search of The Gold), nominated by curator Wang Paopao.
The 2024 Jimei × Arles Discovery Award Jury include Christoph Wiesner, Director of the Rencontres d'Arles & co-director of Jimei × Arles International Photo Festival; Cristina De Middel, photographer and President of Magnum Photos; RongRong&inri, co-founders and co-directors of Three Shadows Photography Art Centre; Li Zhenhua, artist and contemporary art curator; Gu Zheng, curator, critic, professor at the School of Journalism, Fudan University.
After an intensive review and deliberation，the jury awarded the 2024 Jimei × Arles Discovery Award to Jia Yu for his exhibition Strangers.
During the awarding ceremony, Curator Wang Paopao accepts the award on behalf of artist Jia Yu. Cristina De Middel stated: “As a jury, we are honored to recognize a project that stands out for its honesty and simplicity. In a time when the future of images feels increasingly uncertain, this work serves as a reminder of the human connection at the heart of photography. The project reflects the responsibility photographers have toward their subjects, approaching this relationship with humility and integrity. It highlights the importance of care and thoughtfulness in representing others, offering a perspective that feels both necessary and timely. This work brings photography back to its essence: helping us understand who we are and preserving the memory of who we once were. It reaffirms the role of photography as a tool for connection and reflection, encouraging us to look beyond its aesthetic dimension and consider its deeper impact. We selected the work of Jia Yu as the winner of the Jimei x Arles Discovery Award for its honesty, integrity, and its meaningful contribution to the ongoing conversation about the future of photography.”
The Jimei × Arles Discovery Award continues to serve as an essential milestone for the future of photography in China, fostering both artistic innovation and cross-cultural exchange, and setting the stage for the next generation of photographers to inspire and challenge the global art community.
Xiaohongshu photoGRAPHY
As a leading lifestyle platform, Xiaohongshu fosters a community of expressive creators. They consistently produce sincere, moving, and inspired imagery that resonates deeply with audiences. Xiaohongshu aspires to recognize and celebrate not only on the images but also on these visual storytellers behind the lens. In 2023, Xiaohongshu Photography launched the "Xiaohongshu Imaging Discovery Project". Through collaboration with partners across the photography industry, the project offers various forms of support—including growth initiatives, content co-creation, and awards programs—to accompany photographers on their professional advancement. At the same time, it actively explores industry possibilities, and infuses imagination and dynamism into the evolution of visual arts. In 2024, Xiaohongshu Photography initiates the "Xiaohongshu Inspiring Moments Award" and, once again partners with the Jimei × Arles Discovery Award, jointly launching the Xiaohongshu Inspiring Photography Exhibition, offering a new platform for photographers and their visual expressions.