Taipa Village Cultural Association is delighted to present the captivating exhibition "THE FLAVORS of SICHUAN: A Tribute to the Art of Sichuan Cuisine" by esteemed photographer David Hartung. The show comprises a handpicked selection of 34 colour and black-and-white photographic images captured during David's numerous travels to China's Sichuan Province – one of the world's most distinctive and flavourful culinary regions. The exhibition is sponsored by the Cultural Development Fund of the Macao SAR.
David embarked on this project just before the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, making numerous journeys to Chengdu to immerse himself in the stunning landscapes, vibrant rural communities and rich tapestry of local life. Through his lensmanship, he forged meaningful connections with chefs, tea masters, farmers, market vendors, tofu makers, noodle artisans, pickled vegetable makers and fermented bean sauce craftspeople, also spending time documenting meat smoking factories and drying facilities – all of which pulse with the heartbeat of this remarkable province.
Drawing inspiration from traditional concepts that underlie the rich spectrum of tastes and flavours of Sichuan cuisine, David depicts Sichuanese culinary artistry within its cultural, geographical and historical contexts. His work invites viewers to explore the myriad elements that have shaped one of the world's great cuisines, and each image is infused with the human stories behind the province's rich culinary heritage. To coincide with the exhibition and further explore the multifaceted story of Sichuan's culinary culture, David's new coffee table book, THE FLAVORS of SICHUAN: A Tribute to the Art of Sichuan Cuisine, will be launched at the exhibition's grand opening.
"This photo exhibition aims to provide viewers with an in-depth look at the many influences that have contributed to the development of one of the world's great cuisines," David says. "Food photography offers endless possibilities, allowing my documentary skills to create compelling visual stories through every dish, ingredient and portrait, and revealing the human stories behind Asia's rich culinary traditions.
"In addition to the photographic prints on display, I am thrilled to release a coffee table book in conjunction with the exhibition, further showcasing the sumptuous tapestry of Sichuan's culinary heritage," he says.
David has spent most of his adult life documenting Asia's rapidly evolving cultures. First drawn to the continent at the age of 22, he fell in love with the diverse traditions that each country offers, setting out with his camera to capture cultures he could see were transforming before his eyes. His work has been featured in numerous prestigious international publications, including Time magazine, the New York Times, Newsweek, Businessweek, Forbes, AsiaWeek, Travel & Leisure, DestinAsian and Business Traveller.
David's career began in Seoul, where he witnessed and photographed the social, political and economic transformations of the late 1980s. He later relocated to Taipei, documenting the island's first peaceful transfer of power, and then moved to Shanghai to cover the city's explosive economic growth. In 2008, David made Macau his home, helping to launch Destination Macau magazine and becoming a founding member of the team that launched Tasting Kitchen (TK) magazine. He has remained based in Macau ever since, using it as a regional hub for his photographic work.
"We are honoured to present the extraordinary work of renowned photographer David Hartung," says Pamela Chan, Vice President of Taipa Village Cultural Association and curator of the exhibition. "After years of dedicated effort, David has brought this remarkable collection of photography to Taipa Village, a culturally rich heritage district nestled in the epicurean paradise of Macau. The city, designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, is much like Chengdu in that both cherish and promote a rich cultural heritage of culinary art."
David's exhibition explores the colourful history, culture and cuisine of Sichuan Province, which was once part of the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and which has benefited from centuries of trade and cultural exchange with Tibet to the west and Yunnan to the south. These trading routes remain vibrant today, with additional influences from other parts of China and beyond.
The warm and welcoming people of Sichuan are always eager to share their culture and cuisine, perhaps thanks to the region's long history of contact with inhabitants of other places. Sichuan's diverse microclimates, soil structures and water sources have enabled the cultivation of unique ingredients and flavour profiles that are essential to every Sichuan dish. Yet it is not just the ingredients that make Sichuan cuisine so distinctive – it is also the combination of the region's long history, culture, terroir and cooking techniques that meld together to provide its iconic flavours.
Taipa Village Cultural Association continues to bring together the endeavours of local and international artistic talents to exhibit myriad artworks in Taipa Village. This photo exhibition further cements Taipa Village's position as a leading cultural and artistic destination in Macau and underlines its invaluable contribution to the promotion of the territory’s cultural and creative industries.
Organiser:Taipa Village Cultural Association
Time of Event:12:00-20:00
Venue of Event:Taipa Village Art Space (No. 35-AA da Rua dos Clerigos & 123-AA da Rua dos Mercadores, Taipa, Macau)
Inquiry:(853) 2857 6212
Website:
www.taipavillagemacau.org.moStart Time of Event:24/09/2025
End Time of Event:26/11/2025
Sponsor(s):Cultural Development Fund of the Macao SAR