Portrait Series

Focusing on the survivors of the Wenchuan Earthquake in China, this photography program has been ongoing for the past 15 years. The stories of these survivors reflect the tenacity, suffering, struggle, and hope of life. On May 12, 2008, an 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck Wenchuan, China, killing more than 69,000 people, leaving another 17,000 missing, and causing over 370,000 wounded or disabled. The disaster caused not only physical injuries, but also psychological trauma deeply. Time may heal the pain, or make it even worse. Fifteen years have passed. Now for many survivors, the pain may no longer be as unforgettable as it was at the beginning, but the scars remain. They need time to slowly heal spiritual wounds as well as close attention from the society to listen to their voices. With a compassionate humanistic attitude, the photographer has been focusing on and following the "Earthquake Survivors" program from the moment the earthquake occurred 15 years ago, trying to take photos of people holding their own portraits to present nirvana and rebirth, and expressing his thoughts and respect for life calmly.