Born in Hong Kong, but now based in the UK, Kurt Tong's work is largely influenced by Chinese traditions and history. In Case it Rains in Heaven is a series of photographs of items made of joss paper to be burned as offerings for the dead. Traditionally, many Chinese believe that when a person dies, s/he leaves with no earthly possessions and it's up to their descendants to provide for them in the afterlife until their reincarnation. Originally, coins and animals were buried with the dead, but when that proved too expensive for commoners, they began burning joss paper decorated with seals, stamps, silver or gold paint, as offerings to the spirits to ensure they lived well in the afterlife. In the last 50 years, these offerings have become more and more elaborate as objects are molded from the paper, some reflecting traditional culture, but many reflecting the consumer culture which is taking over China. Cars, washing machines and McDonald's meals are made out of the paper, and entire shops have been set up selling an array of joss paper products. The exhibition showcases the variety of objects chosen to be depicted for this purpose, and also features a video work of the burning ceremony.
Kurt was born in Hong Kong in 1977. He originally trained as a health visitor and co-founded a charitable home for disabled children in India in 1999. He became a full-time photographer in 2003 and was the winner of the Luis Valtuena International Humanitarian Photography Award for his first body of work on disabled children in India.
He gained his Masters in documentary photography at the London College of Communications in 2006 and began working on much more personal projects, drawing on his Chinese heritage and familial relationships for inspiration. In recognition for his recent work, Kurt has received several awards including the Photography Book Now competition, the Hey, Hot Shot! competition and the prestigious Jerwood Photography Award. Kurt's photographs have been widely published and exhibited around the world at venues including: Photofusion, Impressions Gallery, Fotofest in Houston and Compton Verney.
He is represented by Jen Bekman Gallery in New York.
His first monograph, 'In Case it Rains in Heaven' has just been published by Kehrer Verlag.
Presented by Street Level, in association with Ricefield.
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 Exhibition Tour + Talk : Sat 26th February |
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 Exhibition Tour + Talk : Sat 26th February |
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 Exhibition opening |
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 Exhibition opening |
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