On November 25th, the " People by the Yellow River: A 60-Year Retrospective Exhibition of Zhu Xianmin's Photography" opened at the National Art Museum of China. This marks the return of documentary photographer Zhu Xianmin to the National Art Museum after a gap of 38 years. With over 160 powerful works categorized into four units: wind, earth, people, and home, the exhibition chronicles the life changes of the Chinese people. One of the curators, Li Shufeng, highlighted Zhu Xianmin's role as a pioneer and representative figure in contemporary Chinese documentary photography. Zhu focuses his lens on the "85% of the population," advocating and persistently practicing this philosophy throughout his life. Li explained that studying Zhu Xianmin's images is essentially paying tribute to the resilient and tenacious people along the Yellow River and honoring the outstanding cultural genes of the Chinese nation.

Born in 1943 in a humble farming family on the banks of the Yellow River in Puxian, Zhu Xianmin considers the people by the Yellow River as his siblings, and fellow villagers. He expressed that these ordinary people radiate a simple and genuine brilliance, reflecting the changes of the times, contributing to the brilliance of the era, and scripting the history of the Chinese nation. He hopes that in several years, when viewers see these images, they can understand how the Chinese people once lived—considering it his responsibility as a photographer. Many of the scenes in the artworks evoke memories and prompt reflections on the contrast between past and present. Scenes along the ancient ferry crossings by the Yellow River, people crossing the river in simple winter attire, young people fashionable with sunglasses on town streets, and excited children climbing iron frames at the construction site of a new school building—these ordinary scenarios and faces authentically document the snippets of life and changes in contemporary China.After viewing the exhibition, renowned writer Wang Meng remarked, "Zhu Xianmin's photographic works depict the people, and the charm and broad recognition lie in life. He creates an art that is touching, spiritual, and emotional. Such works present a world to the viewer. Between light and shadow, contrast and comparison, within the images, people can find themselves."

The exhibition will run until December 5th, featuring over 160 works, all of which are now part of the collection of the China Academy of Art.

Translator: LIU Jin

Reviewer: WANG Luchun