Name: Meng Xiangxue

•Folk artists

After several generations of inheritance, the number of folk art practitioners who master unique techniques is now shrinking on the whole, lack of worthy successors. What is even more worrying is the gradual disappearance of many folk arts.   

Under the impact of economic globalization and the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization, foreign strong cultures drive straight into China, homogenizing art.

As a result, young people lose their interest in Chinese culture. When people are hurry to pursue the high art, our own folk art is slowly left behind. 

For the purpose of recording and preserving the remaining Chinese folk culture, I have shot this “folk artists” in China. 

A dragon dance troupe's rehearsing for the upcoming holiday. Sichuan Province, China, in 2011.

Two Shaoxing opera actress are doing makeup in the background. Zhejiang Province, China, in 2011.

An oiled paper umbrella worker is testing the quality of the finished product. Anhui Province, China, in 2015.

Marionette performance. Fujian Province, China, in 2012.

A group of shadow puppetry are on the show in a countryside. Zhejiang Province, China, in 2014.

Actors of TAN play are waiting for the performance. Guangxi Province, China, in 2014.

•Portraits

A couple are running a restaurant by the lake. Hungary, in 2014.

A man in a hat is on vacation in Brighton. Britain, in 2015.

The tattooed man opens a clothing store in Camden market. London in Britain, in 2015.

The old from Ireland are mourning the death of friends. Britain, in 2015.

Students from Australian girls’ school are participating in the music summer camp held in Italy. Italy, in 2014.

A woman is walking her dog in the afternoon. France, in 2014.

A green-hand model is watching the Louis Vuitton Memorial Exhibition. Britain, in 2015.

A maiden girl is ringing the bell. Russia, in 2012.

On the luxury cruise ship is a Latin dancers who has just finished her performance. Russia, in 2012.