Born amidst the cultural tapestry of Chengdu, Sichuan in 1959, the photographer embarked on a journey of visual exploration that transcended mere documentation.

Enlisting in the military in 1978, his four-year tenure as a flight crew member within a naval aviation unit bestowed upon him a profound sense of temporal and spatial metamorphosis, thus birthing a distinctive perspective through which to observe the world.

Inspired by the evocative compositions of American poet Ezra Pound's photographs, he embarked on a mission to capture the essence of China's burgeoning cultural renaissance by immortalizing its youthful vanguards.

It was during the mid-1990s, whilst apprenticing under the tutelage of renowned photographer Mark Riboud, that he became imbued with the spirit of "Magnum" photojournalism, its ethos resonating deeply within his artistic ethos.

His oeuvre spans a multitude of published works, each a testament to his unwavering dedication to the craft. From the ethereal imagery of "Birds of Paradise: San Mao's Photography and Poetry Collection" to the introspective chronicles of "Our Generation," his lens serves as a conduit for narratives that illuminate the human condition.The international iteration of "Our Generation," published by the esteemed RIZZOLI, finds its esteemed place among the shelves of prestigious art institutions worldwide, including the venerable Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in the United States.

Throughout the years, his artistic pilgrimage has been punctuated by a series of exhibitions both domestic and abroad, each a testament to the universality of his vision. Currently, as a distinguished member of the International Foundation for the Promotion of Culture (IFPC) under UNESCO, he continues to document the zeitgeist through his ongoing project, "Portraits of the Era," encapsulating the essence of contemporary China.

Indeed, his magnum opus, "Our Generation," stands as a chronicle of a decade-long odyssey, immortalizing the luminaries of China's cultural renaissance during the pivotal years of the 1980s and 1990s. Through his discerning lens, figures such as Jiang Wen, Gong Li, and Cui Jian emerge as timeless icons, their innermost essence laid bare amidst the canvas of his artistry.

Similarly, "Portraits of the Era" serves as a poignant testament to the aspirations of ordinary citizens, captured in a fleeting moment of anticipation for the future. With meticulous precision, each frame preserves the hopes and dreams of a nation poised on the cusp of transformation, a visual time capsule entrusted to the archives of the United Nations.For over a decade, his photographic odyssey has traversed the length and breadth of China, from the bustling streets of Beijing to the verdant landscapes of Kunming, leaving an indelible imprint upon the collective memory of a nation in flux.