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InspirationPhotography

China's eclectic culture is captured on camera by Charlie Kwai

In his latest series of photographs, London photographer Charlie Kwai heads to China to get a snapshot of the local culture.

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All images courtesy of Charlie Kwai

All images courtesy of Charlie Kwai

Whether it’s jostling crowds, groups of teens, families on a day out, or people whizzing through the streets, these are stark portrayals of typical human life. Kwai picks moments that others would normally miss, making the photographs ever more vibrant.

Taking away all of the gloss and performance that a lot of photographers swear by, these photographs are anything but polished. They gave an insight into the eclectic culture on the streets of China, as lived by real people. The expressions and faces aren’t posed but happily expose eccentricities. Kwai’s Piccadilly Circus series too celebrates the comings and goings in one of London’s busiest areas.

Woman wearing black blazer and sunglasses carrying a bright pink handbag stands on a highway with vehicles and yellow taxis behind her
A man in a beige jacket and a woman in a red coat hold umbrellas on a rainy street in China, surrounded by other pedestrians
Four teenagers stand around an electric scooter on a Chinese street, casually posing together in everyday clothing
Man on red motorcycle doing a stunt in front of a historic wall with Chinese text at a public event
A man and woman sit together against a wall decorated with bamboo and floral artwork, with the woman reading a newspaper whilst the man holds food
A group of people huddle closely together in conversation on a street in China, with bicycles and blue structures visible in the background
Woman in purple jacket and checkered skirt riding a beige electric scooter with front basket on a city street, with wooden seating and apartment buildings behind her
Two young men walk down a busy Chinese street, both covering their mouths with their hands amid urban traffic and buildings
Inside a van, a shirtless man reclines on a cushion while other passengers sit nearby in cramped quarters
Two young women walk through a busy Chinese street wearing vibrant patterned tops, one with circular motifs and the other with daisy flowers
Two young women walk through a busy Chinese street lined with shops and advertising banners, one holding a water bottle and wearing a ruffled collar accessory
Man in white shirt and black trousers standing on an urban street, touching his face with one hand while carrying a shoulder bag
Family of four riding together on a motorcycle through a busy Chinese street lined with shops and parked cars
Woman carrying a young child through a busy Chinese street market lined with vendor stalls and pedestrians
Crowd of people seated on a red platform with arms raised, looking up at a man's legs in dark trousers and shoes standing above them at what appears to be a public event in China
Child wearing bright red circular glasses and striped shirt stands on a city street, hand to ear, with Chinese signage and other pedestrians visible behind
Man in light blue uniform with purple shoulder boards standing on an ancient stone bridge with tourists and forested mountains in the background
Colourful fabrics and textiles with floral and geometric patterns displayed on shelves and stacked on a market stall in China
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