Chen Nong

Amsterdam

Chen Nong is one of the most extraordinary photographers in China today. Working almost entirely alone, each of his meticulous photographs takes him approximately a year to research, assemble, populate and shoot. His breathtaking images, rich in historical context, pay hommage to real-life events from Chinese history, re-enacted according to his own singular vision.

Chen Nong, 46, is in a sense more filmmaker than photographer. Each of his series is an epic undertaking. Once he has the seed of an idea, and has sketched it out in detail, the artist then goes on a pilgrimage to far-flung parts of China to find the appropriate location to shoot. There, he builds a set and assembles his cast – often comprising willing volunteers and friends – in order to realise his precise vision.

Using a 110-year old antique camera, the photographer shoots in black and white, in order to print on silver gelatin paper. The post-production process is equally elaborate. After he settles on a small selection of images, he hand-paints each one in a close range of colours to produce a vintage, burnished effect. The result is super-realist, highly stylised, at times even verging on the expressionist.

Reflex Art Gallery

September 29th – December 31st, 2012
Weteringschans 79 A
1017 RX Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Calendar