Global SinoPhoto Awards (GSPA) has announced this year’s special ‘People’s Prize’

4 Şubat 2025

Lone barber shop amid demolition wins this year’s special People’s Prize at the Global SinoPhoto Awards exhibition at Christie’s London

As the Chinese New Year season continues, the Global SinoPhoto Awards (GSPA) has announced this year’s special ‘People’s Prize’.  ‘Resisting’, an image taken by the French photographer Aurelien Chen, which depicts a lone barber shop standing on a demolished site, has been chosen by visitors to the exhibition at Christie’s London, marking the closing of the ‘Culture Identified’ photography event.

Aurelien Chen says of his photo, “In the middle of destruction, life goes on until the very last moment.  Even after demolition, the memory of the place will remain with all the stories that happened within it.  In this photograph, a barber shop stands in the middle of a demolished ground.  Clients do not care about the surroundings, the barber is still here, they can still have their haircut; they will keep going as long as the shop still stands.”

The annual exhibition, sponsored by Raymond Legal, marked the fifth year of GSPA since its foundation in 2020, highlighting 62 selected images from 32 photographers worldwide who have entered their photographs into the Awards from 2020 – 2024, to share their different global perspectives and understanding of Chinese culture.  The aim of the Awards is to connect people through an appreciation of Chinese culture and promote photographers internationally.  Submissions for 2026 will open in June.

Over the first four years, the Global SinoPhoto Awards has collected thousands of images from hundreds of photographers from more than 40 countries.  The exhibition featured past entries that tell a story, whether it’s a personal experience, an ancestral connection, or a fascination with Chinese culture.

The Global SinoPhoto Awards, founded by Yintong Betser and Lynne Bryant, was inspired by the historical exhibition the Family of Man curated by Edward Steichen at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1955.  It celebrated the universal human experience through powerful photographs from around the world, promoting global unity, empathy, and the shared values that connect all people.

As well as the principal sponsor Raymond Legal; Blick Rothenberg, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office also returned this year, continuing their support of the Global SinoPhoto Awards.  The gallery space was generously provided by Christie’s London.

Notes:

Raymond Legal

Based in the heart of London, Raymond Legal is experienced in handling matters spanning China, the United Kingdom, and greater Europe.  With multiple offices around the world, Raymond Legal prides itself on operating as “one firm”, coordinating international legal advice that is necessary to deliver outcomes that are expected by its diverse clientele.

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London: First established in 1946, this office today represents the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in the United Kingdom as well as Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Russia and Sweden. Working alongside other members of the Hong Kong family: namely the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, its mission is to promote and strengthen Hong Kong’s economic, trade and cultural links with those countries.

Blick Rothenberg

Blick Rothenberg is a tax, accounting and business advisory firm that puts its people and client relationships first.  Its partner-led approach ensures that clients receive a high-quality service from a team of specialist people.  Combining technical expertise with personal integrity, it offers audit, accounting and business advisory services as well as advice on corporate and personal tax matters.  

Christie’s

Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva.