Culling Tea 1869

Editor: Here we have Lai Fong’s photograph, "Culling Tea," taken around 1869. It captures six women meticulously sorting tea leaves. I’m struck by how matter-of-fact it is. It’s a glimpse into a very specific labor, and I wonder about the process itself. What details jump out to you? Curator: It's precisely this glimpse into process that commands attention. The photo isn't just about tea; it's about labor, materiality, and social structures. Note the repetitive action: each woman at her small station, hands moving deliberately. Consider the wooden tables, the woven trays, the very texture of the tea itself. Editor: So you're seeing the materiality as a core component of its message? Curator: Absolutely. We need to ask ourselves about the conditions in which this tea was produced, sorted, and eventually consumed. This photograph makes visible the often-hidden labor that underpins global commodities. Editor: It definitely complicates any romanticized notion of tea, doesn't it? I mean, seeing it as purely a relaxing beverage… Curator: Exactly. And notice the women's clothing—relatively simple, utilitarian. Think about the context: late 19th-century China, with Western influence growing. This image captures a moment of traditional craft meeting a global market. It prompts questions about value, exchange, and cultural dynamics. How does this image challenge or reinforce those boundaries? Editor: I never considered it like that before. It is much more about how the material components play a pivotal role. It’s really amazing. Curator: Right? This helps me to look beyond simply aesthetic enjoyment, and see the cultural exchange involved.