798 Photo Gallery presents a solo exhibition by Luo Dan, featuring photographic works taken in rural areas of China.

Artist Statement:

On the main entrance of the church in LaMeiJia Village, there are a few words: "Be joyful in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer. Romans 12:12” It’s rule of life of the Christians living in FuGong county NuJiang Prefecture YunNan Province. They have accounted for 70% of the county's population.

Most of them are ordinary farmers, their lands scattered in the steep slopes showing a V-shaped along the river which formed by BiLuo snow mountain and GaoLiGong mountain. They plant some corn and rice, notwithstanding work hard all through the year, the harvest is quite modest. It is these impoverished farmers, never forget thanksgiving, daily repentance pray. The spirit of Christ gets into the life of them, planting, harvesting, enjoying and suffering, from birth to death. They face a hard life, but demonstrated very calm and quiet, a sudden burst of rain does not change their footsteps. Inner peace and tranquility comes from the faith and the release of trusting God from their own.

Based on common beliefs and values with the local people, I came to this valley in 2010, used an old way of photography process (Wet Collodion glass plate), took pictures for them. I hope I could use the old way of photography which some similar to heir original farming methods to leave the magical light and shadow, I believe that may be a gift from God. What we have is not yet close to them, what they have has been away from us for a long time. Looking at the image piled up by the silver particles, it is like a mirror, I hope that could be my appearance in the future. Just like a friend who saw these photos the first time, he asked me:” Are these photos filmed one hundred years ago?” I said:” No! They are one hundred years after!”

-LuoDan

Image: © Luo Dan