Each of us is unique. When each person came to my studio, I was very determined to convey such a belief. To make them have confidence in themselves. I think individuals need this, and a nation needs this too. —Xiao Quan

Born in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Xiao Quan is called the "best portrait photographer in China." During the 1980s, known as the latest "golden age," Xiao began using his lense to record the youthful faces of a generation of intellectuals who were mostly born in the '50s and '60s, and emerged in the '80s, '90s and today. 

"I loved painting when I was in school, and then I saw a lot of things I was interested in when I joined the army. I thought photography was more suitable for me, so I chose this path," said Xiao.

Xiao's fame in and out of the photography circle stems from the large-scale photo album "Our Generation." The album, published in 1996, contains almost all the famous figures in the literature and fine art circles of the '80s and '90s, including Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Jiang Wen, He Xuntian, Tan Dun, Beidao, Wang Anyi and Shi Tiesheng. In order to make this album, Xiao traveled around China, and it took him nearly 10 years to complete it.

Xiao subscribed to many newspapers and magazines in the army and got interested in portraits. Later, he read about the history of Western photography and learned about many news photographers, such as Yousuf Karsh and Augusto Sander. Xiao also became friends with famous French photographer Marc Riboud, and had 20 years of profound friendship with him.

Riboud was a famous photographer for France's Magnum Photos, and reported in China for over half a century. It was during this time that Riboud got to know Xiao. Xiao called 1993 a "very important" year because of this encounter with Riboud, who gave him a new connection to the world.  

"Marc Riboud said something very important to me, he said ‘your country is undergoing tremendous changes and your work is very important,' Xiao said. "In fact, he gave me special encouragement. I also feel that I am very blessed. When I was young, I knew who were the ones taking the best pictures in the world, so I learned their methods to take pictures of my hometown through cameras.”

Over the years, Xiao has visited artists and writers across China, selecting his list using his own standards, which are constantly enriched with time. With concern about the fate of his contemporaries and sympathy and love for human beings, Xiao gently passes through the lives of this generation like a warm sunshine, casting a warm portrait for each interviewee with his camera. His precise grasp of character and his extensive and close contact with this generation have also made his photo album a project with social significance. Xiao, with his warmth and persistence, witnessed the survival of this generation, reflected its pain and joy, hesitation and persistence, and above all, projected his eternal care for life.

Director：Yin Jun

Editor：He Peiheng, Zhou Yiqiu

Filmed by: James

Designer：Yu Peng

Article written by: Angelina QJY

Copy Editor：Melissa Chua

Producer：Wen Yaru

Chief Editor：Xu Jian

Supervisor：Zhang Shilei