Big Eyes , 1990
24 x 20 in (h x w)
銀鹽照片 (水墨、纖維紙創作) Silver halide printing (ink & paper)

The charity with Chinese features, symbolized by Project Hope, has grown quickly in tandem with the reform and opening up, as well as the development and advancement of the nation. The most well-known piece in the Project Hope series is Xie Hailong's (谢海龙) "Big Eyes" (大眼睛). The image displays two bright-eyed young girls holding a pencil and gazing straight ahead, full of curiosity to study. Her large, bright eyes, which are filled with a strong sense of hunger for knowledge and hope for the future, are captured in close-up in the shot. Following its publication, the image dubbed "Big Eyes" was swiftly reproduced by significant domestic and international media outlets, and it rapidly turned into a propaganda piece for China's Project Hope. This picture has artistic merit, but it also has social importance that adds to its effect. Behind this photo is the purpose of China's Hope Project - "Make every child can go to school". It shows the hope and growth of Chinese society, as well as the yearning of youngsters in impoverished sections of the country to learn. It is not only a photograph, but also a witness of an era and a symbol of China's project Hope.

More from Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)

Lifelong Learning Mural , 2003
18.3 x 12.2 cm (h x w)
塑膠彩壁畫 Acrylic mural
Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)
old woman reading , 1959
塑膠彩布本 Acrylic on canvas
Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)
石家豪的文化生活──莊子 Chuang Tzu , 2010
75 x 50 cm (h x w)
彩色鉛筆印墨無酸紙板 Coloured pencil and printing ink on archival board
Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)
石家豪的文化生活──林振強 Richard Lam , 2010
74.9 x 50 cm (h x w)
彩色鉛筆印墨無酸紙板 Coloured pencil and printing ink on archival board
Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)
女縫紉 Femme cousant (Woman Sewing) , 1879
54.6 x 65.4 cm (h x w)
油彩布本 Oil on canvas
Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)