Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen in collaboration with collector He Meng, presents an immersive Sky Art Photography Exhibition. From now until August 31, guests at the hotel’s Executive Lounge on 78th floor can enjoy a captivating showcase of He Meng’s collected works, featuring Western celebrity portraits by American photographer Joe Hahn, alongside Eastern celebrity portraits by renowned Hong Kong photographer Zhang Wenhua. The exhibition showcases the distinct styles and charms of contemporary Eastern and Western photography, complemented by the immersive experience of antique aesthetics.

The exhibition incorporates He Meng’s treasured European antique furniture, adding a visual artistry. Passionate about promoting art and culture, He Meng has collected numerous precious Eastern and Western artworks and antique furnitures over the years. The Italian antique furniture takes viewers on a unique visual feast, harmonizing with the photography’s play of light and shadow, creating unforgettable artistic experiences.

During the opening ceremony, the exhibition also features captivating jewelry reflections, jointly presented by Italian craftsmen and luxury jewelry brand POMELLATO, blending avant-garde modernism with exquisite collectible style, inspired by European art aesthetics, injecting charming collectible allure into the exhibition.

In addition to experiencing the exhibition’s unique charm, Executive Floor guests can enjoy exclusive Mandarin Oriental Club benefits, including personalized check-in and check-out at the exclusive counter, three complimentary laundry services daily, two hours of daily complimentary access to the Mandarin Oriental Club meeting room, and all-day continuous supply of coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks. For dining, the Mandarin Oriental Club offers a range of delectable breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktail services, providing guests with unforgettable and extraordinary moments during their stay.

[All images provided to That’s]

Charles Jin—a Shanghai native who now resides in Atlanta, Georgia—attributes his collecting journey to his formative years spent at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). That’s where, in 1992, he became the first Chinese MFA graduate in photography to matriculate through an American art school. He then ventured into entrepreneurship, founding a leading manufacturing company in Georgia, but soon returned to photography with a newfound passion for collecting the art form.

Jin’s collection focuses on individual photographers, particularly 20th-century masters such as Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind. He owns around 200 vintage photographs by Harry Callahan, comprising a significant portion of his collection. His fascination with photographic greats is deeply rooted at the MICA, where his mentor Jack Wilgus was a former student of Callahan’s, and another of his instructors, William Larson, had been a student of Siskind’s. The artistic legacy passed down through these influential mentors played a pivotal role in shaping Jin’s views on photography.

Jin’s enthusiasm for photography encompasses contemporary names as well, including Wolfgang Tillmans, Cindy Sherman, Thomas Ruff, and Barbara Kruger. Jin counts about 90 signed Robert Mapplethorpe works in his collection and he could be the world’s largest individual collector of Sally Mann, with a trove of approximately 80 pieces from her iconic “Immediate Family” series. The sheer size of his collection would suffice to give each artist a solo show, a testament to his dedication to the art form. 

Jin’s keen interest in photography extends beyond his private collection. In 2011, he began bringing a curator’s eye to his acquisitions, recombining the images to create thematic exhibitions such as “100 Vintage Prints” and “Sea Series,” captivating audiences across cities in China. In addition, Jin is now the owner of photo licensing company SIPA Press in France, the United States, and China.

We spoke with Charles Jin about his first purchase, the works he hopes to add to his collection this year, and his quest for promoting the art of photography.

Charles Jin walks through an exhibition of his collection called “Sea Series” at Sanya Contemporary Museum in Hainan, 2017. Courtesy of Charles Jin.

Tell us about the exhibitions you’ve curated. How do collecting and curating influence each other? 

I have found that there are a lot of connections among the photographs, so you can combine them naturally. I didn’t think too much about it at first, but in the end, it just became clear that a lot of it lends itself to a natural curatorial idea. I don’t have a huge amount of Cindy Sherman’s prints, only about 30 or so. As you know, all of her photos are self-portraits. You could curate a very good show with self-portraits as the subject matter.

There are some “close-ups”—that is, some masters took photos of hands, feet, and other parts of the human body, or even the back of the body, which can be curated to create a very good exhibition. There are also people who specialize in photographing mirrors, walls, tree roots, and so on, which can be singled out and combined to make a separate exhibition.

Your question is a good one, how does curatorial thinking influence my collection, and how does the collection react back to the curation? I think it only requires one condition, that you have a certain amount of collection—without quantity, it is impossible to have qualitative leaps, which bring endless possibilities.

Dovima with Elephants, Evening Dress by Dior, Cirque d’hiver, Paris (1955). Courtesy of Charles Jin.” width=”900″ height=”614″ srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/charles-avedon-dovima1.jpg 900w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-avedon-dovima1-300×205.jpg 300w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-avedon-dovima1-50×34.jpg 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px”>

Charles Jin with Richard Avedon’s Dovima with Elephants, Evening Dress by Dior, Cirque d’hiver, Paris (1955). Courtesy of Charles Jin.

What was your first purchase?

It started at the end of 2005 but was more formalized in 2006 with the Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD), where I bought about 30 prints—mainly by Harry Callahan, but also some Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind. The first one I remember was Harry Callahan’s silhouette of his wife, with the person in black and the background in white, and that was one of his masterpieces.

Charles Jin with a work by Harry Callahan. Courtesy of Charles Jin.

What was your most recent purchase?

Huge works by Wolfgang Tillmans and Thomas Ruff, as well as works by Barbara Kruger and Cindy Sherman.

Tell us about a favorite work in your collection.

There are quite a few. Self-portrait with cigarette (1980) by Robert Mapplethorpe and Identical twins, Roselle, N.J. 1966 by Diane Arbus.

Which works or artists are you hoping to add to your collection this year?

It should be Cindy Sherman as well as Wolfgang Tillmans. They are the main direction of my collecting these days.

Pablo Picasso at La Californie, Cannes (1957). Courtesy of Charles Jin.” width=”530″ height=”677″ srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/charles-penn1.jpg 530w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-penn1-235×300.jpg 235w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-penn1-39×50.jpg 39w” sizes=”(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px”>

Charles Jin with Irving Penn’s Pablo Picasso at La Californie, Cannes (1957). Courtesy of Charles Jin.

What is the most valuable work of art that you own?

Many, such as the big three-meter wide Andreas Gursky, and a few vintage pieces including Edward Weston, Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon. 

Children with Flowers (ca. 1950s). Courtesy of Charles Jin.” width=”800″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/charles-main1.jpg 800w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-main1-300×225.jpg 300w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-main1-50×38.jpg 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px”>

Charles Jin with Richard Avedon, Children with Flowers (ca. 1950s). Courtesy of Charles Jin.

Where do you buy art most frequently?

Mostly galleries like Hauser & Wirth, Pace, and Bruce Silverstein. For example, I recently bought a vintage Diane Arbus from a gallery.

Is there a work you regret purchasing?

No. Some of the work I bought has not been in very good condition, but I still want to keep them. I think it’s still not a bad decision.

Singapore II (1997) at left and Bangkok II (2011). Courtesy of Charles Jin.” width=”1024″ height=”655″ srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/charles-gursky1-1024×655.jpg 1024w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-gursky1-300×192.jpg 300w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-gursky1-50×32.jpg 50w, https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2023/08/charles-gursky1.jpg 1250w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”>

Singapore II (1997), Bangkok II (2011), both by Andreas Gursky. Courtesy of Charles Jin.

What work do you have hanging above your sofa? What about in your bathroom?

Actually, I do not have anything hanging on my sofa because my room is relatively big. And the bathroom, I don’t think so. I do not have anything in the bathroom because of the moisture. It’s going to harm the photograph.

What is the most impractical work of art you own?

Basically, I do not collect impractical work. When I was at school learning about the history of photography from 34 years ago, I knew exactly what I was looking for.

Charles Jin with a Chuck Close self-portrait. Courtesy of Charles Jin.

What work do you wish you had bought when you had the chance?

There was a lot that I missed. I forgot to bid on some sophisticated work, sometimes at Artnet.

If you could steal one work of art without getting caught, what would it be?

I don’t want to steal anything. If I have the money, I buy it. If I don’t have the budget, I just appreciate the work.

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Misan Harriman has shared the reality of what it’s like to snap some of the world’s biggest stars.

Speaking at his ‘Storytelling The Future’ event at London’s Huckletree Public Hall this week, the photographer and social activist commented on “the hyper-sexualisation of women”. 

© Getty

“If you see how I shoot women in particular, it’s very much, I hope, a representation of who they are,” Misan remarked.

“I’ve shot some very famous actresses and I’ll say, ‘Why are you moving that way?’ For years, men have been shooting them like they’re a cold cut on the table.”

He added: “Women have not been able to tell their stories. The hyper sexualisation of women is fine when it’s coming from a woman’s point of view, but when it’s a man’s, nah.”

The father-of-two also spoke about his fears for his “two little ladies”. 

“I’m a man that’s seemingly comfortable in talking about vulnerability and wearing it as a badge of honour and I think we need more men out there that are influential,” Misan continued, adding that children are the most at-risk of “hyper misogyny” being preached online.

© Getty

“It can get to the most vulnerable of us which are kids who are still forming themselves.”

Misan, who was encouraged to pursue professional photography by his wife, added that the camera has become his “sword and shield” in his fight for the truth.

© Getty

“Photography, for me, is a way to help people ask themselves the big questions without being shouty or judgmental,” he said.

“There’s a quote that says ‘Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder’, and I think that’s the thing about photography. There’s an intimate stillness.”

Misan has photographed stars including Angelia Jolie, Rihanna, Cate Blanchett and Olivia Colman but famously snapped Prince Harry and Meghan Markle via an iPad when they announced their second pregnancy with daughter Lilibet during the pandemic.

© Getty

In the candid black-and-white image, taken in the couple’s California garden, Meghan was seen reclining in her husband’s lap, her hand cradling her burgeoning bump, as they smiled proudly at one another.

Misan was also behind the lens for Princess Lilibet’s official first birthday portrait taken at Harry and Meghan’s former UK residence, Frogmore Cottage. Dressed in a sweet blue frock, Lilibet sat in the grass and smiled angelically at the camera with a matching bow in her vibrant red hair.

Back in April, Meghan proudly introduced her friend for his TED Talk. Speaking from her and Harry’s Montecito home, the Duchess of Sussex rocked a sleek look with her long locks straightened as she revealed her and Misan’s close bond.

“Our next speaker has an unmatched eye for a good photograph. I’ve experienced his talent first hand as he has captured many meaningful milestones for me and my family. And I know there are many others who share this experience,” she shared.

“His lens has photographed everything from events that have changed the world, invisible moments we all desperately needed to see along with some of the planet’s most recognisable faces.

© Instagram/Misan Harriman

“But this wasn’t always his path, and you might be surprised to hear not who, but what he credits for his success. I am so thrilled to welcome to the TED stage, my dear friend Misan Harriman.”

More than 700 photographers from over 70 countries around the world entered the 2023 World Sports Photography awards.

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Here are some of the winners.

2023 Main winner

Sky Drive. Team captain Lee Westwood of Majesticks GC plays a shot during the semi-finals of the LIV Golf Invitational in Miami.

Team Kazakhstan competes during the preliminaries of the artistic swimming at the 19th Fina World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. 

Superman. Gymnastics category. Donnell Whittenburg of the USA competing on the high bar during the men’s qualifications at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool.

Formula 1 category. Zhou Guanyu of China crashes during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone.

Athletics category. B of the bang. Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago celebrates after winning gold in the final of the Men’s 200m at the Commonwealth Games at the Alexander stadium in Birmingham, UK.

Cricket category. Surrounded. James Anderson of England bowls to Mohammad Ali of Pakistan on the fifth day of the first Test at Rawalpindi cricket stadium.

Tennis category. The shadow cast by Coco Gauff as she serves during Round 1 of the Australian Open on Margaret Court Arena at Melbourne Park.

American football category. The Final Kick. Buffalo Bills place kicker Tyler Bass (2) kicks a game-winning field goal as time expires during the fourth quarter of an NFL match against the Miami Dolphins.

Martial arts category. Silek Lanyah.

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Boxing category. A flying mouth guard during a bout between Leti Leti and Conor Wallace.

Water category. Justine Dupont of France rides a big wave at Praia do Norte in Nazare, Portugal.

Baseball category. Catcher. Sunday Baseball.

For the full list of winners and their photographs, head to World Sports Photography Awards.