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)

舞台上的舞者 The Star (Dancer on Stage) L'Etoile , 1878
60 x 44 cm (h x w)
單刷版畫上粉彩 Pastel over monotyhpe on laid paper
Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)
空氣泵中的鳥實驗 An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump , 1768
244 x 183 cm (h x w)
油彩布本 Oil on canvas
Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)
聖經3
140 x 200 cm (h x w)
Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)
Quote3 without background
Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)
Quote 2 without background
Virtual Gallery (eduhk.hk)