(Farmer Carrying Two Baskets, Hebei Province, color print, 1977)

China---Balancing the Changes: Photographs by Sharon Crain

Sharon Crain's photographs portray a personal view of the dramatic changes which have transformed China since her first visit in 1977: from padded blue jackets to high fashion, from students memorizing Mao to marking ballots, from revolutionary directives to individual options, from government regulations to instant communications and from isolation to international interactions as unprecedented growth led to unintended consequences. Crain's thirty year involvement in teaching and facilitating educational exchanges in China took place as China's  "Reform and Opening Up" policies unfolded after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. Her photos reflect the complexity of balancing the benefits and burdens created by these rapid changes. Crain's respect for the Chinese people and her understanding of the culture comes through vividly in these images. This exhibition is part of the Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies' commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China. There will be lectures and events throughout the spring semester which further illustrate the interwoven-connections between China and Wesleyan.

Opening and Gallery Talk with Center Curator Patrick Dowdey and Sharon Crain 

Wednesday, April 1, noon

April 1 through May 24, 2009

Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, Noon - 4pm

Closed Mondays