Great Celebration

Daqing, the “Oil Capital of China,” stands as a testament to the relentless spirit of its people and the nation's journey. The name Daqing means Great Celebration and refers to the tenth anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

My grandfather's photos from the 1960s offer an intimate look at the faces of Daqing, individuals who bore witness to the transformative boom following the discovery of oil in 1959. As I re-printed these precious negatives in 2023, I embraced the age and wear of the original negatives. The alternative process, such as creating patterns reminiscent of oil, serves not just as an ode to Daqing's title but as a bridge between eras. Through these faces, we see the juxtaposition of humanity's resilience and fragility, a reflection of a city and its people, forever intertwined with their land and its rich history.

Haohui Liu is part of »Guest Room: Simon Baker & Aden Vincendeau«.