A young woman riding a bicycle on a wet street in downtown Wilson, North Carolina, at sunset, with old, weathered buildings and pedestrians visible in the background. The street's puddles reflect the scene.

2019–2020 | Wilson, North Carolina, USA — Hans Xu’s Black-and-White Documentary Works Featured Consecutively in Eyes On Main Street International Photography Festival

Two men standing outside a building holding a booklet. There are large black informational boards with white text on each side of the entrance. The building has the number 229 above the door and is made of bricks and glass. One man is dressed in a white shirt with a blue vest, and the other is in a dark polo shirt. The door has a sign indicating free information guides and a small poster about oasis.
Two photographs: The first shows a canal scene with a man walking past a boat and a motorcycle, in black and white; the second depicts a young boy standing outside a shop named 'BADENYA-COIFFURE' with painted portraits of two men on the wall, in color.

In 2019 and 2020, two black-and-white documentary photographs by Chinese photographer Hans Xu (Xu Xuehan) were consecutively selected for the 5th and 6th editions of the Eyes On Main Street International Photography Festival, held annually in Wilson, North Carolina, USA. This recognition not only affirms Xu’s excellence in the field of humanistic photography but also highlights the international acclaim and artistic impact of his work.

Eyes On Main Street is one of the most distinctive and influential outdoor photography festivals in the United States. Known for its unique curatorial vision and integration with the local community, the festival annually selects 100 prominent photographers from over 40 countries, each contributing one representative piece. These works are enlarged and exhibited along the facades of buildings on Wilson’s Main Street, transforming the entire street into a powerful, immersive “photographic corridor” open to the public for 100 days, making photography an integral part of everyday urban life.

Hans Xu’s work, rooted in black-and-white humanistic storytelling, is celebrated for its sharp observational eye, refined composition, and poetic narrative style. His consecutive selections for the festival underscore not only the high caliber of his photography but also the deep resonance of his artistic philosophy—using images to evoke reflection on life, history, and society in shared public spaces. Xu’s approach aligns seamlessly with the mission of Eyes On Main Street, which champions photography’s return to the street and its role in community engagement. His participation significantly contributes to the global visibility and recognition of Chinese documentary photography on the international stage.

A man wearing glasses, a dark blue shirt with red and white stripes, and jeans standing in front of a black memorial wall with names written on it. The wall is mounted on a brick wall, and a mosaic tile sidewalk is visible in front.
A man in black athletic clothing and glasses is pointing at a black and white outdoor photo display outside a building. The display includes a photo of a canal with boats and buildings, and text notes the location as Venice, Italy.
Three people standing outside, engaged in conversation, with brick buildings and a few other people seated in the background on a sunny day.
Two men standing outdoors, one presenting a box to the other. The man on the left is wearing glasses, a navy blue shirt, and jeans. The man on the right is wearing sunglasses, a light blue shirt, a red and white striped tie, and beige pants. They are
Two men standing in front of a photo display board, one holding a certificate, at an indoor event or exhibition.
People networking and browsing in an indoor gallery space with large front window, display area with hats and photos, and a man reading a notebook at a red table.
A woman and a man standing in an art gallery with framed photographs on the wall. The woman is wearing black pants, a colorful blouse, a black jacket, and floral shoes. The man is holding a booklet and wearing glasses, a dark blue short sleeve shirt
A man standing next to a large informational display board titled 'Our Story' and 'Our City' at an outdoor event. The board contains text about the history and current features of Wilson, NC, along with a list of photographers and a website link.
Informational brochure for Eyes on Main Street festival in Wilson, NC, detailing history, events, and participating photographers, with a map of Wilson, NC and a QR code.
Flyer for the 5th edition of a photography event in Wilson, North Carolina, running from April 27th to August 4th, 2019. It features a free kickoff party on Saturday, April 27th at 5 PM at 217 Brew Works with live blues music, food trucks, and over 2
Black and white photograph of a canal scene in Venice, Italy, with a boat docked at the water's edge, a man walking along the sidewalk, and old buildings with balconies and windows in the background.
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