The plight of Hong Kong’s elderly citizens is never too far from the mind of the socially conscious, but their counterparts in mainland China may be even less visible.
This week, Contemporary by Angela Li will open “The Exempted”, a portrait exhibition by acclaimed photographer He Chongyue that focusses on the plight of elderly peasants in rural China.
After embarking on his two-year project, He discovered that seniors living in the most remote parts of China effectively have no access to social welfare programmes, despite the promised “Reform and Opening” scheme of 1989.
In modern times the elderly are left to fend for themselves in their villages as the younger generation move to larger cities for work.
As one elderly man poignantly told the photographer: “Right now, I’m just waiting to die. I’m only afraid that when that day comes, no one will even know.”
“The Exempted” grants its subjects the dignity that he believes the Chinese government has denied them.
In the spirit of humanitarianism, the photographer provides just a flash of visibility in an effort to shed some light on an existence otherwise characterised by overwhelming darkness.
What: He Chongyue – The Exempted
When: Opening Reception 6pm-10pm Thursday March 12. Open 10am-6:30pm daily until April 11. Closed on Sundays & public holidays.
Where: Contemporary by Angela Li, G/F, 248 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan
Price: FREE
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