Photo contest aims to bridge cultural gap

Photographers around the world are being asked for their images of connections between Chinese and other cultures as part of the Global SinoPhoto Awards 2021, in association with the Lau China Institute, King's College London.

Professional and amateur photographers from any location, background and nationality can use their images to tell Chinese stories and imagine, interpret, and inspire connections between Chinese culture and the rest of the world.

Launched last year in the depths of the pandemic, the contest aims to present Chinese culture through imagery which reflects the skills, creativity and imagination of the photographer, and provides a creative hub to inspire and connect photographers worldwide.

This year's awards incorporate four new entry categories－home; work and play; environment; and water.

The common theme within each category except water is the "Chinese element", in which photographers are invited to submit images that express, interpret and share an element that represents their view of Chinese culture.

By separating this category from the common theme, the awards hope to absorb the creativity of other worlds and cultures through the imagery submitted within the water theme, so that photographers have the freedom to express the water imagery through their personal lens, which, in return, will enrich Chinese culture.

Yintong Betser, co-founder of the Global SinoPhoto Awards, said, "Unlike other categories, water is a Chinese element in itself and is a key concept in Confucianism and Taoism, the only organic religions and philosophies which originated in China and are part of Chinese culture in general.

"Water is valued for its strength, endurance, and environmental properties that are integral to the Chinese DNA, and is the life source of cultures all over the world," he explained.

Betser said he hopes this year's submissions will highlight how water plays an important role in enriching Chinese culture, by introducing inspiring and creative elements from other countries and cultures.

Entries are open until Dec 5 and the winners will be announced next February at an awards ceremony in London.

The winning images will be exhibited at the Museum of East Asian Arts in Bath, which houses the largest collection of Chinese artefacts in the United Kingdom, for six weeks during Chinese New Year in 2022, and in Nov 2022 at the World Architecture Festival China in Chengdu.

In addition, the Lau China Institute will exhibit winning images from last year's submissions during its China Week, from Oct 25-29, in the run-up to COP26, which will examine the impact of climate change as seen through the camera lens.