Combing for Ice and Jade
Published by Jiazazhi
Size: 175 x 245 mm
Format: Hardcover, section sewn perfect binding, 278 pages with 8 booklets and one piece of leaf
Edition: First edition of 700, including 37 special edition
Published in April 2019
Combing for Ice and Jade is a love note from Kurt Tong to his nanny, who was one of the last remaining ‘self combed’ women left in China. An early form of Feminism, the comb up ceremony granted women great autonomy at a great cost.
Kurt Tong has worked closely with his nanny over a period of nearly 7 years. Having only 8 photographs of herself, the book is an exploration of her extraordinary life. Her story is slowly revealed through the book, combined with Kurt’s family archive, found photographs from her extended families, new photographs, Chinese ink works and women’s magazines from China that spanned 6 decades.
Special Edition includes one original rice print with Chinese ink on traditional Xuan paper by hand, rather than by machine that would be accompanied in the Normal Edition.
Out of print
Last few copies are available via these online photo book retailers - The Salt Yard, Setanta Books, Micamera
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