The launches are scheduled for November 22 at Paragraphe Bookstore in Montreal and November 27 at the Haskell Free Library & Opera House in Stanstead. Both events will feature photographic slide shows and question-and-answer sessions, allowing audiences to explore the experiences behind Safdie’s work.
Four Decades of Photography Document China’s Changing Society
Faces of China reflects Safdie’s extensive travels throughout China, where his professional involvement in international trade developed into a longstanding interest in photography, history and cultural observation.
As head of Montreal-based textile company Safdie & Co., Safdie travelled regularly to China for business. These visits also provided opportunities to document everyday life and observe the country’s economic and social development.
The collection features portraits taken across a wide geographical area, from major industrial cities along China’s eastern coast to remote communities in Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia.
Rather than concentrating on prominent public figures or major historical events, the photographs emphasize individual experiences, personal expressions and the environments in which people live and work.
The resulting collection presents a visual record of communities experiencing significant economic modernization while maintaining distinctive cultural identities and traditions.
Portraits Highlight Cultural Diversity and Everyday Experiences
Safdie’s approach focuses on the relationship between individuals and their surroundings, presenting subjects in familiar settings that reflect their daily lives.
The photographs encompass different generations, social backgrounds and cultural communities, providing a broader understanding of the people who have experienced China’s transformation.
“It is especially gratifying to present such an exciting collection of characters that represent an array of people from all corners of China, its minorities, social classes, from the youngest to the oldest, and so on, as depicted in their own natural surroundings of their homes and workplaces,” said Safdie.
New Publication Builds on Earlier Photographic Memoir
Faces of China follows Safdie’s earlier book, Affair with China, which was launched in April 2026 during Montreal’s Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival.
At that event, Safdie appeared in conversation with Canadian author Charlie Foran, discussing his experiences travelling and working in China.
The earlier publication combines photography, historical observations and personal reflections to examine the country’s development between the 1980s and 2020s.
While Affair with China addresses broader changes in Chinese society, Faces of China concentrates on the individuals whose lives form part of that history.
Together, the publications provide complementary perspectives on economic development, cultural continuity and the human experiences associated with China’s modernization.
Business Career Shaped Safdie’s Cultural Perspective
Born in Jerusalem, Safdie moved to Montreal when he was 13. His academic background includes studies at McGill University, the University of British Columbia, the University of London and the Sorbonne in Paris.
Before entering the family textile business, he worked as a teacher and editor.
His involvement in international commerce subsequently established connections with China that extended beyond commercial relationships into photography, literature and cultural research.
Safdie has also presented eight major photographic exhibitions in China, reflecting his continued engagement with the country’s communities and artistic landscape.
Montreal and Stanstead Book Launches Scheduled for November
The two upcoming events will provide opportunities for readers to meet Safdie and learn about the photographs featured in his latest publication.
The Montreal launch will take place on Sunday, November 22, at Paragraphe Bookstore. A second event is scheduled for Friday, November 27, at the Haskell Free Library & Opera House in Stanstead, Quebec.
The Stanstead appearance marks Safdie’s return to the historic venue, where he introduced Affair with China in May 2026.
Located directly on the Canada–United States border, the Haskell is known for its distinctive cross-border setting and longstanding role as a cultural institution.
Both events will introduce audiences to Faces of China alongside Safdie’s previous memoir, highlighting the connections between his commercial travels, photographic work and cultural observations.
With these publications, Safdie continues to document the human dimensions of China’s transformation, offering Canadian readers a photographic perspective developed through decades of firsthand encounters.
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