Megan Lendman, '14, poses with her exhibit "China: The Life of the
Civilian," which was displayed at the Red Wall Gallery in 2014.
Civilian life in China showcased in alumna photography exhibit
Jan 12, 2015
Imagine traveling across the world to be surrounded by 10,000 years
of history, complete strangers and multiple language barriers. While
this may seem like an intimidating adventure to some, Grand Valley
alumna Megan Lendman embraced an international study abroad trip just
like this and is now sharing her cultural experience with West
Michigan through her pictures.
“China: The Life of the Civilian” is Lendman’s culmination of her
photography major and Chinese language minor combined with her “sense
of adventure, creativity and desire” to explore what it means to be human.
The honors senior project exhibition will be on display at the
Grand Valley Art Gallery’s Blue Wall Gallery located in Building A of
the Richard M. DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus through
April 25.
“My photographs range from details, to portraits, to landscapes
in order to give my viewers a full dynamic range to understand parts
of the Chinese lifestyle,” Lendman said. “Each photograph represents a
moment of culture and all are a valuable expression of my
understanding of what Chinese culture consists of.”
Lendman said she was committed to finding a study abroad location
where she could be fully immersed in the Chinese culture. She worked
with the Padnos International Center to coordinate a trip to Kunming
located in the southwest province of Yunnan in China. Lendman was
awarded the center’s Study Abroad Photography Scholarship to help fund
her travels.
Lendman said her photograph “Old vs. New” showcases one of the
strongest contrasts in the exhibit.
“‘Old vs. New’ depicts a gate built in the 14th century with a
little boy sitting in a chair playing on an electronic device
seemingly oblivious to the historic beauty surrounding him,” Lendman
said. “With 10,000 years of history, this sort of modern and ancient
juxtaposition happens on a daily basis in the lives of the Chinese.”
Lendman said she is eager to discover which cultural connections
visitors make between Western and Eastern cultures through her exhibit.
“Western and Eastern trains of thought are considered to be
almost like two sides of a coin – vastly different,” Lendman said.
“Through this visual connection I am presenting, I believe my audience
can learn about themselves and the world by identifying with the Chinese.”
For more information about Lendman’s exhibit, visit
www.gvsu.edu/artgallery.
Subscribe
Sign up and receive the latest Grand Valley headlines delivered to your email inbox each morning.
