Shek Kip Mei

Richard Yee started learning photography in 1948. In 1950, Yee was going to work in North America, and made a stopover in Hong Kong. He took many photographs for Hong Kong with the purpose that they would cure him of homesickness while abroad. After settling in the United States in 1952, Yee won the First Prize at the Boston Globe Photo Contest for three consecutive years, and in 1959 he also won the Grand Award of the All U.S. Army Photo Contest. Yee has been active in the World Photography Salon since 1960, and ranked second among the “Worldwide Photography Top Ten” chart in 1968. Yee has held many solo exhibitions in the United States and in China, including the Hong Kong Arts Centre (2005); Central Academy of Arts & Design (Beijing, China, 1993); and Addison Gallery of American Art (Andover, U.S., 1986). Yee’s works are in the collection of the Peabody Museum (Salem), Mariner’s Museum (Newport News, VA) and Seattle Museum of Fine Art. The photos Yee took during the 1950s and 60s depict the everyday life of small communities of Hong Kong, enveloped with the warmth and humanistic qualities as well as the simple and laid back sentiments of the bygone days. The sophisticated use of texture of lighting contrasts exemplified the elegance of fine arts salon photography, allowing the ordinary folks to emanate their unique aura.