Sichuan Youth Photographers Association Founded (Democratic Election & Cross-Disciplinary Direction)

On June 17, 1985, the Sichuan Youth Photographers Association was founded at the Jinjiang Hotel in Chengdu, with more than 800 young photographers attending from cities and prefectures across the province. The Provincial Party Secretary, Yang Chao, wrote the association’s name and also inscribed “Image & Painting as One,” clarifying a cross-disciplinary direction for artistic development. Liu Haiquan, Vice Chairman of the Sichuan People’s Congress, attended to offer congratulations, and Vice Governor Kang Zhenhuang delivered an inspiring address.

Shao Bolin, Director of the National Stamp Design Bureau and designer of the emblem of the China Photographers Association, specially designed the association’s emblem. Later, Yan Xiaobing (who would become Art Director of Photography News) designed the association’s flag. The presidium was elected by on-site secret ballot with immediate counting, without announcing nominees in advance. Long Xuming received 34 votes to become Chairman; Tian Jiemin—who had just won the gold medal at the 13th National Photographic Art Exhibition for his work “The Owner”—received 31 votes to become Vice Chairman; and Lü Linglong, recognized as a leading photographer in Western China, received 19 votes.

This was considered one of the most rigorous election methods in China’s photography circles. Immediately afterward, the association removed the intermediate “Standing Council” layer. Following the congress, Long Xuming resigned as Chairman of the Chengdu Youth Photographers Association and voluntarily served as Fifth Vice Chairman, with Wang Shiming (First Vice Chairman) succeeding him as Chengdu Youth Photographers Association Chairman.