October 2018 | Nanjing, China & Barbizon, France— Hans Xu’s Humanistic Photography Featured in Sino-French Meta—NING Exhibition, Works Acquired by ALFART Gallery

Yellow signs in Chinese and English advertising the Meta-NING Art Exhibition, with one sign attached to a wooden post and another mounted on a brick wall against a cloudy sky.

On October 9, 2018, the 2nd Meta—NING Contemporary Photographic Art Exhibition opened at the Art Museum of Nanjing Normal University. As a featured exhibiting photographer, Hans Xu (Xu Xuehan) was invited to attend the opening ceremony and was interviewed by Nanjing Television. His signature style of humanistic photography captured the attention of both the audience and media, offering a unique visual narrative within the exhibition.

On October 28, the exhibition traveled to France for a satellite show at ALFART Gallery in the village of Barbizon, just south of Paris. Known as the birthplace of the Barbizon School and modern realist painting, the village provided a historically rich backdrop for this Sino-French artistic dialogue. During the exhibition, Hans Xu’s works were permanently acquired by ALFART Gallery, marking another significant moment of European recognition for his photography.

The day after the French opening, Hans Xu led a roundtable discussion with three local artists: Bernard M. (sculptor, founder of ALFART Gallery, renowned for his bronze sculptures), Marianne M. (Colombian-French painter, former cultural officer at the Colombian Consulate in France, and member of the Latin America–France Art Promotion Association), and Pascal F. (President of the Barbizon Historical Society and Chair of the Barbizon Art History Compilation Association). Their exchange centered around the theme “The Artist’s Perspective: Cultural Identity and Contemporary Expression,” offering interdisciplinary insights and fostering dialogue across cultures and mediums.

The Meta—NING Contemporary Photographic Art Exhibition, as a key platform for Sino-French cultural exchange, has not only promoted Chinese contemporary photography in an international context but also significantly elevated Hans Xu’s influence within both academic and artistic communities in Europe. The exhibition and subsequent acquisition of his work underscore his enduring commitment to visual storytelling and humanistic observation, while further amplifying the voice of Chinese photography on the global stage.

A stone building with red trim and signs for Galerie AlfaArt-LBK, advertising an art exhibition, under dark, stormy clouds.
Group of seven people standing indoors in front of framed black and white photographs on the wall, holding books and photo albums, with some smiling, in a well-lit room with a wooden beam ceiling.
A group of people at an art gallery, viewing black-and-white photographs on the wall, with some holding drinks and books.
Three men standing and talking in an art gallery with black and white framed photographs on the wall behind them. One man is holding a yellow book and looking at his phone, while another holds a black folder. The third man is listening and holding a
Three people are closely examining a photo album or book, with drinks in hand, at a social gathering inside a room with framed photos on the wall.
An older man with glasses and a white beard holding a glass of champagne, standing in a crowded room with artwork on the walls and a yellow poster that says "Meta-NING".
Three people standing together in front of framed black and white photographs on a wall, one woman holding a glass of champagne.
Two men are standing inside a room with black and white framed photographs on the wall behind them. The older man on the left has gray hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt and gray pants. The younger man on the right has black hair and glasses, we
Two men standing in an art gallery, holding a black and yellow plaque, with black and white photos on the wall behind them.
Two men standing inside an art gallery, smiling and holding a booklet, with framed photographs and art pieces on the wall behind them.
Four black-and-white photographs hanging on a white gallery wall, depicting street scenes, a person walking on a waterfront, bicycles, and a person riding a bike.
Group of twelve people sitting around a white table in a cozy art gallery with framed photographs on the walls, some cups and plates on the table, in a warm wooden ceiling room.
A diverse group of people sitting around a table in an art gallery or café, engaged in conversation. The table has snacks and cups, and the walls are decorated with framed photography and artwork.
A man and a young girl standing in front of a stone art gallery, holding yellow posters promoting an art exhibition, with the gallery's signage visible.
Sign advertising the Meta-NING Art Exhibition at an art gallery, with dates from October 27 to November 1, 2018, and a yellow background with black text.
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