DUNOON BURGH Hall welcomed visitors to its main gallery at the weekend for the official opening of its first exhibition of 2026.
The show features work by Chinese artist photographer Li Zhengde and takes the viewer on a journey From the Zijiang to the Yangtze Rivers.
Visitors were welcomed on Saturday by Christina McKenzie, chair of Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust, followed by a short, prerecorded video with subtitles from the artist, before spending time viewing the series of almost 50 images and the remarkable journey they chart.
She said: “We were delighted to welcome so many local people along to the opening afternoon. It was a pleasure to see such great support for our first show of the year and the feedback was very positive.
“We were grateful to the artist for taking time to record the video, which was of great interest and helped everyone understand more about the images, his inspiration and his work.
“The show continues until later in February and we hope many more will take the opportunity to pop in to view it.”
Exploring the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China’s longest and most significant waterway, the exhibition traverses a region that not only serves as a cradle of traditional Chinese culture but also stands at the forefront of the country’s rapid economic development.
Over the past four decades, China has experienced dramatic transformation, with the Pearl River Delta, the Yangtze River Delta, and the areas along the Yangtze River undergoing particularly profound changes. These regions epitomise the urbanisation and modernisation that have reshaped both the physical landscape and the cultural identity of contemporary China.
Through his photography, Li Zhengde captures the scale of urban expansion and its dual impact — both material and spiritual — on the lives of the Chinese people. His work reflects on the tension between progress and heritage, questioning how rapid development alters personal and collective identity.
From the Zijiang to the Yangtze Rivers is free to enter, though donations to the hall are always appreciated, and continues until Saturday, February 21 during Dunoon Burgh Hall opening hours from Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 3pm.
More information is available on the website at dunoonburghhall.org.uk
