black and white...

Yesterday, I went to a photograpy exhibit here in Guangzhou. The featured photographer had spent time in some of the most local and remote parts of China, living with the people and getting to know their stories and families.

These black and white photos were a sobering reminder of the poverty, and the same time the intense community that exists in parts of this country. The photographer had an obvious compassionate eye towards his subjects, including a small description of their life. He had spent time in a mental institution, visiting the patients. Some where locked in their rooms, others left sitting along in hallways, and some left without clothing. The photographer seemed to capture the timeless, empty expressions of those that China has not really given heed to.

Other images were of small Catholic communities found here - photos of small church groups having a service on a hill, a funeral service for a 4 year old child, portraits of women with wrinkled faces and a single candle lit in a small room praying before a cross. One thing I noticed in each of the pictures was the closeness of the people. The proximity shared by the members of the communities. Whether the photographer took pictures of workers sleeping in a field, or worshipping together in a house, or gathering around a elder who was about to pass away, all members were shown close together. All they seemingly have is each other and their faith.

Sometimes I think, in the West, we have alot of our priorities mixed up. Especially sometimes in religious sectors. We are concerned with the style of music, with pleasing people, and often trying to make oursleves look like something we are not. Why do we do this? It seems like this kind of effort is so wasted. It can cause us to take our faith for granted. We forget the value of people and community. I don't have any wise insights nor have I come to any grand conclusions after seeing these images of the very local China, but I feel different somehow. Like I don't want to take anything for granted ever again.