Members who attended Betty Yao’s talk in February 2021 on John Thomson, the 19th century photographer and travel writer, will be pleased to know that an exhibition of many of his photographs has opened on the Heriot-Watt campus.

“China: Through the lens of John Thomson. A Heriot-Watt University bicentennial exhibition”

The first Edinburgh exhibition devoted to the Scottish photographer John Thomson (1837-1921) and his photography in China will be shown from 30 September 2021 to 22 March 2022 at the James Watt Centre, Heriot Watt University. Thomson’s photography of China was widely praised by his peers and continues to enthuse new audiences today. This exhibition commemorates the centenary of his death and forms part of Thomson’s alma mater, Heriot Watt University’s bi-centennial celebrations.

The exhibition contains 94 black and white prints from Thomson’s China collection and is on display in the James Watt Centre at Heriot Watt’s Riccarton Campus until 22nd March 2022. Access is free and visitors to the University are very welcome but opening hours vary and due to COVID restrictions booking is essential.

To book, go to:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/john-thomson-exhibition-heriot-watt-university-tickets-172067507547

Manchu Bride (1871), John Thomson