Chang Chao-tang

Chang Chao-Tang (; 17 November 1943 – 2 April 2024) was a Taiwanese photographer, filmmaker, and educator. For his film work he received a Golden Bell Award, a National Cultural Award, an individual Golden Horse Award as well as the Golden Horse Lifetime Achievement Award. Chang's work is held in the collection of M+ in Hong Kong.

Early life and education Chang was born in Banqiao District, New Taipei City. After high school, he graduated from National Taiwan University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in civil engineering.

Life and work Chang was an avant-garde photographer, a photojournalist, a cinematographer, and a filmmaker.

He made black and white photographs that, according to Jenny Zhang, "blend ideas of western surrealism and existentialism within Chinese ideology." For example, between 1962 and 1965, he photographed himself and friends with distorted bodies and faces, at derelict sites on the edge of the industrializing city. In 1965, Chang had his first exhibition, Modern Photography, a two-person show with his teacher Cheng Shang-Hsi.

From 1968, he worked as a photojournalist for the state-owned China Television Company, making programs "that focused on subjects who were often overlooked by the official narrative of positivity, such as street vendors, traditional opera performers behind the scenes, and idle children at the park."

Chang died on 2 April 2024, aged 80.

Publications Photography books by Chang In Search of Photos Past. Guang-hua Art Magazines Society, 1988. A survey of 20th century photography in Taiwan. The Passage of Time, Taiwan Cultural Center, Tokyo, September–October 2015

Films China Behind (1974), cinematographer – directed by Tang Shu Shuen The Old House = Gu Cuo (1980) Wo'men de Tiankong = Dan shui zui hou de lie che = 我們的天空 (1986), cinematographer – directed by I-Chen Ko; also known as Last Train to Tanshui The Boat Burning Festival+ (2019)

Awards 1980: Winner, best cinematography and editing category, Golden Bell Awards, Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, for The Boat Burning Festival 2011: Winner, 30th National Cultural Award, Executive Yuan of the Republic of China in Taiwan 2022: Golden Horse Lifetime Achievement Award at the 59th Golden Horse Awards, shared with Lai Cheng-ying 2024: Outstanding Contribution Award, Taiwan International Documentary Festival, Taipei

Collections Chang's work is held in the following permanent collection: M+, Hong Kong