A glimpse of China through Australian eyes

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A Chinese New Year event in Sydney is giving people a unique view of contemporary life in China.

Australian photographer Marcus Reubenstein began taking pictures during his first trip to China 10 years ago.

"The moment I arrived at a hotel in Guangzhou in southern China, I looked out of the hotel window and I knew immediately this was a bustling city and a society that people in the West really didn't understand and that began my fascination," he said.

Australian photographer Marcus Reubenstein. /CGTN Photo

Seventy pictures from Reubenstein's works are being displayed in a Sydney art gallery, each one is designed to tell a story about everyday life in China.

"On an average for every photo in the exhibition I've actually spent less than 10 seconds from the time I actually saw the subject to the time I took the photo, the big works probably three or four seconds. I didn't want to intrude in people's lives, I want to capture people's lives," said Reubenstein.

What stands out about the photographs is the focus on the eyes of his subjects, which Reubenstein says is important.

One of Reubenstein's photos on display in Sydney. /CGTN Photo

"I want an Australian audience, in particular, to look into the eyes of these people and to look into their hearts and to look into their souls and to understand that, really, we are not that different at all, and I think if we understand that our cultures might be different but our values are the same. That is the foundation for a great friendship between two cultures."

(Top image: A collection of photos about contemporary life in China. /CGTN Photo)