Overview

A photographer on an American cruise ship visited ports along China's coast in 1980 when the country was still largely stuck in Maoist isolation, and instead of photographing the passengers, he chose to take pictures of the locals he met instead. The result is a unique and precious window into a China that has been swept away in the development and modernization which has transformed its society and people in the decades since. Photographer Mike Emery largely focused on faces, but so many elements of this collection of more than 200 images are worthy of consideration. The street scenes, the buildings, the clothes and hair styles - all redolent of an era of Chinese history which was the turning point between a poverty-stricken past and a high-tech future.

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9789888769971

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"""Wow! A behind-the-scenes look at China and its people in 1980. Love the feel of the images - a warmth from being shot on film and a contrast to the digital age of today. - Glenn Duffus, Photographer ""With China the world's new superpower, it's great to look back on the Chinese in simpler times when it didn't seem quite so threatening."" - Gary Burns, Nine Network Australia ""In an age where the Western impression of China is dominated by the geo-political and preconceived ideas that are not always enlightened, this book is a beautiful reminder that humanity shines in all cultures. Families live and work to better the lives of their children, smiles are universal, community is key and a culture are its people, real people."" - Harold Weldon, Weldon Books ""Mike has captured some truly stunning images of Beijing and Shanghai from 1980.This book truly demonstrates his natural ability to capture lovely innocent images of people in their day-to-day lives."" - Charles Foulsham, APPLM MPhotog III ""The camera does not lie and Emery has captured the openness and warmth of people going about their daily life with a particular emphasis on children. It is through his simple yet provocative photographs of the children that we are able to find a story from behind the lens."" - Sue McGuinn, Educator ""China 1980"" by Mike Emery is a beautifully curated coffee table book that captures a unique time in China's history through the lens of an Australian photographer. Emery's photographs provide a unique window into China's past, and his attention to detail and composition makes each image a work of art."" - Peter Maddison, Japanese Photos ""These important stills captured by Mike reintroduce us to an age gone by, a China irrevocably banished to the mists of history. They describe the poverty of the time, and the hard but simple life of a people not yet exposed to the decadence of Western consumerism."" - Peter May, - The Lewis Trilogy ""This book gives you a wonderful snapshot of life and the culture of China in the early 80's. The innocence, acceptance and openness of the people, particularly the children, is astounding."" - Andrew Howell, Photographer"

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