From June 19 to 20, 2021, the inaugural Jiangsu International Imaging Culture and Art Exhibition was grandly held at Hall 1 of the Nanjing International Expo Center. As the largest and most prestigious imaging event in Jiangsu’s history, the exhibition not only brought together a wide array of internationally renowned photography equipment brands for product showcases, but also featured a specially constructed semi-enclosed central exhibition hall of 800 square meters, where a major documentary photography exhibition titled “Original Aspirations and Rejuvenation: A Visual Narrative of an Era” was unveiled.

Jointly curated by Cui Bo, a member of the Curatorial Committee of the China Photographers Association, and curator Sun Xiaolu, the exhibition was guided by the Nanjing Municipal Cyberspace Administration, and co-hosted by Sanjiang University and Nanjing Aishenbo Digital Technology Co., Ltd.. It garnered broad support from photography institutions, art organizations, and individuals across various regions, including Beijing, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Guangzhou, Hainan, and Taiwan. Together, they presented a powerful visual reflection on the societal transformations and evolving spiritual landscape of contemporary China.

Hans Xu (Xu Xuehan) was among the invited photographers whose work was featured in the exhibition. In line with his signature style of black-and-white humanistic documentary photography, his exhibited piece conveyed a keen sensitivity to historical details and a profound insight into the human condition. Within the thematic context of "Original Aspirations" and "Rejuvenation," his work not only articulated a personal visual experience but also served as a poetic record of socio-cultural change. Quiet yet penetrating, the image conveyed a sense of time’s emotional temperature and pushed the boundaries of narrative photography. His unique artistic position and academic vision stood out prominently in the contemporary photographic discourse.

During the exhibition, Hans Xu also participated in the “Technology Shapes the Future, Equipment Empowers Art” cultural forum alongside curators Cui Bo and Sun Xiaolu, as well as China-based executives from leading international imaging brands including Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm. The forum centered on the evolving relationship between technological innovation, equipment development, and artistic expression in photography. Drawing on his dual role as a photographic artist and long-time educator, Hans Xu shared in-depth perspectives on the integration of technology and art. He emphasized that while technological advancements have greatly expanded creative possibilities, truly moving images must remain rooted in a deep and enduring concern for the human spirit. The forum served not only as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue between technology and art, but also highlighted the academic awareness and cultural responsibility of contemporary photographers responding to the realities of their time.