Thirty years ago, artist Sun Xiaofeng used metaphors in his work to critique the prevailing consumerism and cartoon culture of the era. In his hometown of Chenghai, Shantou, young people toiled relentlessly on “toad machines”, digging up their first fortunes in this coastal town of the south.
In 2023, as curator, Sun Xiaofeng brought the history of China’s first photographic materials factory, the AD Film Factory, into an exhibition. Within this rags-to-riches narrative lie both the sighs of an era and the unyielding spirit of the Chaozhou people.
What is a homeland? What does Chaozhou-Shanwei signify? Previously, Sun Xiaofeng might have described it as the scent of basil leaves and pearl cabbage, the bonds of family and affection rooted in this place. Yet returning now to reconnect with his homeland and himself, he has gained a deeper understanding of the Chaozhou-Shanwei spirit, discerning more clearly the unique blend of adventurous enterprise and Confucian culture that defines this region.