Memories of the Motherland

A hazy afternoon

大連, 2008年.

Many Chinese responded in great awe and somewhat misguided jealousy upon hearing that I was staying in Dalian.

I empathise. 

The coastal city boasts of its long beaches, bright lights and multinational business opportunities.

However save for the glimmer of hope in Echo Cafe and ever-consoling saving grace of the city Hopscotch

I can't say in all honesty that I would ever feel the desire to return.

Shanghai Dragonflies

上海, 2008年.

This tantillating city has far too much to offer just to skim over in three days. It throbs with an air of a depravity but entices you with its shining lights beckoning to come and play. I look forward to and fear my next stay in Shanghai.

Yunnan Glamour

Somewhere in 西双版納, 2009年.

Somewhere in the mountains of Yunnan after an arduous five hour trek through the jungle

my aching legs punished me for the naive assumption that I could depend upon them to carry me

and finally we reached the home of a wonderful smiling face, a quiet smoking pipe, a marvellous hat and a bunch of puppies. Hogs optional. They kindly sheltered and fed us as we invaded their home with foolish good intentions. A mouthwatering feast of rice, noodles, veg and meats were provided, with

dog meat stew as a curious treat. The notable absence of a mother figure for the puppies circling our ankles was unsettling. However the scene would turn uglier at the end of the meal, when the leftover bones from the stew were passed onto the pups to gnaw on. Wrong on so many levels...

A Quick Fag

北京, 2009年.

798 District in Beijing. A hovel for artists to nurture their creativity in a hermitted state of isolation from the rest of the swine-filled city. The studio resembled a factory for drugs or other depraved illegal activity, minus most of the illegal activity. The experimental animator led us into a dark room and we watched his latest creation unfold on the screen in silence. Its overwhelming power in subliminal political messages mixed with a folly of mind-bending imagery left me absorbed in this state of madness. It was enlightening to see this renegade of artists chasing a dream in this city, pioneers in self-exile and yet such an influential and inherent part of Beijing. 798, Godspeed.

The Zoo

桂林, 2009年.

Guilin for a fun day out at the zoo, a time where the whole family can get together to torment and pelt small objects at caged beasts of all shapes and sizes in the name light-hearted family fun. Guilin zoo does not disappoint, with a platoon of deer knee-deep in trenches of mud they lie in wait for Death dressed in a beige uniform. Good times!

Panda Yoga

桂林, 2009年.

Luck inversion
倒福

北京, 2009年.

Light of God
神燈

香港，2010年.

Illuminate
照亮

北京, 2009.

Courtyard Lanterns
四合院的燈籠

北京, 2009.

This extraordinary Siyeheyuan courtyard hotel is part of a dying breed of traditional Beijing architecture that is clearly a unique and important part of Chinese culture. In this Neo-Maoist revolution to destroy the old to make room for the new I pray that these beautiful buildings will be preserved in memory if nothing else. I am happy that I had the privilege to stay in this one. Perhaps this is the key to the survival of these hutong homes, tourism of pseudo-rich tourists popularizing them, as Chinese citizens protests evidently go up in flames...

Stubborn
 頑固

香港, 2010年.

This crow would squawk all day sitting on the extractor pipe outside the kitchen window. This stupid bird had decided to make its home inside the burning hot pipe of the extractor hood that was used on a daily basis in our Chinese home, known for its excessive use of oil. When confronted the squawks were teamed with unshaken death glares. Fried eggs for tea tomorrow.

Takiing a Break

大連的美麗海灘, 2009年.

An Audience
大觀眾 

北京, 2oo9年.

Relaxed.
放鬆的
北京, 2009年.

Envy.
羨慕
在大連和冰峪沟的中間, 2008年.

Out of Place.
惊奇
在路上，2008年.

Valleys.
山谷

阳朔, 2009年.

Prehistoric Oxen
陳旧的牛 

阳朔, 2009年.

The Elephant.
大象

景洪, 2009年.

Playing with Guns.
小朋友跟小抢

大連, 2009年.

Children patrolling the neighbourhood.

Tuck In.
火鍋好吃 

北京, 2009年.

Winning.
升了 

紫禁城, 2009年.