Two Department of Art and Art History graduate students in photography traveled to China over spring break to meet with students at Xian Jiaotong University’s Photo Club.
Chadric Devin, from Cole Camp, Mo., and Allen Morris, of Baker City, Ore., delivered lectures and had an exhibition featuring the work from 10 UNL photography students.
Last year, 10 photographs were sent to Xian Jiaotong University’s American Exchange Center (AEC) for “Nebraska Week.”
“The AEC was so impressed with the photographs and the interest of the Jiaotong student body that they offered to fly Chadric and I to Xi’an for a week to interact with the students at Xian Jiaotong University Photo Club,” Morris said.
They re-exhibited the photographs of the 10 students, which included works by Devin and Morris and eight undergraduate students, and Devin and Morris each presented a lecture. They also brought more of their current work.
“The experience for me was major, to say the least,” Morris said. “I have never had the opportunity to leave the country and travel abroad prior to this trip, so it was an earth-rattling experience.”
He enjoyed the interaction with the students.
“I think the best part was being able to interact with the students at Xian Jiaotong,” Morris said. “They were exceptionally bright and incredibly interested in the work that Chadric and I were discussing, along with the photographs that were up at the university. The students had many great questions ranging from ‘Why do you make this art?’ to ‘How can you make a living doing this?’ and all points in between.”
They also had a chance to visit the Xian City Wall and the Muslim Quarter.
“For me the highest point was going to visit the Terra Cotta Warriors just outside of the city,” Morris said. “It was amazing to say the least.”