People of Bǎixìngzhuāng (百姓庄)

The village of Bǎixìngzhuāng (百姓庄) is sandwiched between the International School of Beijing and the high-priced expatriate subdivisions in Shùnyì 顺义 district, northeast of Beijing. The village is home to the laborers who built the mansions and the service people who work in for wealthy Chinese and expatriate families. Like most rural Chinese villages, the homes are rustic—no indoor plumbing, and no air conditioners or heaters. Daily activity takes place on the street where people sell wares or foodstuffs from small stalls in front of their homes. At the weekend market, one can buy clothes, shoes, pots and pans, produce, and meat. From May 2007 to June 2008, I visited Bǎixìngzhuāng at least once a month to photograph the people and how they lived. In the beginning, I mainly photographed children but once parents saw that I would return and give them a printed photograph, they began asking that I take their photo too. I often drew a crowd as I wandered through the village, passing out photographs. Over time, I gained their trust and they eventually invited me inside their homes, beauty parlors, stores, and restaurants. I was given a unique insight into the lives of Chinese peasants.