2012 Photo Contest, Arts and Entertainment, 3rd prize

The Return of the Native

Photographer

Huimin Kuang

<em>Huang Jianglu</em> newspaper

26 December, 2008

Residents of Mao’s hometown display souvenirs that they have kept from the time of his rule, on the anniversary of his birthday in 2008.

About the photographer

Huimin Kuang

Kuang Huiming was born in Baotou City, Inner Mongolia in 1964, and took up photography in 1989. Seven years later, he was honored as one of the Top Ten Photographers in Hunan Pro...

Background story

Shaoshan, Xiangtan, Hunan, China

Residents of Mao’s hometown display souvenirs that they have kept from the time of his rule, on the anniversary of his birthday in 2008. Artworks depicting Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. During Mao’s ‘Cultural Revolution’, erecting statues of him was seen as a way of showing loyalty. The slightest defect could incur strict penalties. Most statues of Mao came down when the ‘Cultural Revolution’ ended in 1977. But there are many people who still regard him as a demigod and believe that the images can bring good fortune or dispel evil. Mao’s birthday, on 26 December, is marked by public processions and festivities.

Technical information

Shutter Speed
1/50 sec
Focal length
24 mm
F-Stop
6.3
ISO
400

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