Author:Cheng Shang-hsi(1937-2011)
Category：Photography
Media:Fiber-based gelatin silver print
Year：1963
Size description：60.8×50.7cm
Introduction：Keelung-born photographer Cheng Shang-hsi (1937–2011) began his recurrent visits to the Jiufen (Chiu-Fen) area near his hometown in 1959, captivated by its distinctive cultural ambiance and topographical scenery. During his twenties and while still a university student, Cheng employed a tender, forthright, and unadorned style of realism to precisely chronicle the post-war 1960s in Jiufen. Although the region’s mining industry had shifted from its peak to decline, the remnants of its former glory were still evident, even as they were on the verge of disappearing. In his smooth and succinct visual language, he left behind a distinctive record of the era for the mountain town Jiufen: its rolling landscape contours, the dense succession of rooftops and alleyways, the muted palette of the local scenery, and the routine bustle of its people.(By Chang Shih-lun)
Author Introduction：「Cheng Shang-hsi」-Born in Keelung, Taiwan, Cheng graduated from the Department of Journalism at National Chengchi University and later studied at Waseda University in Japan. After returning to Taiwan in 1973, he devoted himself to photography education and produced and hosted Taiwan’s first photography teaching program, “Let’s Talk About Photography.” His works are characterized by bold subject matter and a documentary style, capturing Taiwan’s landscapes and preserving valuable records of places such as Orchid Island, Keelung, and Jiufen.
Accession number:20220097