Photographs from the Chinese Cultural Revolution show state approved operas created by leader's wife




Chinese photographer Zhang Yaxin chronicled the state-approved entertainment provided to the country during the Chinese Cultural Revolution that lasted from 1966-76.

Selected by Jiang Qing, the wife of Communinist Party Chairman Mao Zedong, Yaxin photographed the government approved operas Qing created to promote the state's revolutionary message.

The collection of pictures by Zhang, a photographer for the Xinhua News Agency, went on display at the Stephen Bulger Gallery in Toronto in February.

'Traditional Peking opera was considered bourgeois and had been banned. The operas were made in accordance with Mao's provision that "art must serve the interests of the workers, peasants, and soldiers and must conform to proletarian ideology,"' a press release for the exhibit explained.

In total, Qing created six model operas and two ballets that were approved for production across the country.

The state sanctioned performances were among the few forms of entertainment that the Chinese were allowed to see.

During the Revolution, a photographer at Xinhua News was only allowed three rolls of film per year though Zhang was allowed an unlimited supply for his special project.



Raid on the White Tiger Regiment, 1971

Raid on the White Tiger Regiment, 1971

Sha Jia Bang, 1971

Raid on the White Tiger Regiment, 1971

Raid on the White Tiger Regiment, 1971

Raid on the White Tiger Regiment, 1971

Azalea Mountain, 1974

Ode of the Dragon River, 1972



