Joshua Fernandez

IN Shenzhen, hidden gems can be found around every corner. Photography is one way I document places in the city that have particularly interesting stories or historical significance. That’s why I almost never leave my camera at home!

Recently, I came across a unique public art installation in Yuanling Community Park in Futian District. The artwork, titled “A Day in the Life of a Shenzhener” (深圳人的一天), offers a snapshot of life in Shenzhen in 1999. The piece depicts ordinary residents as life-size bronze statues. Large stone slabs at the entrance are engraved with elements of daily life from that day, such as a restaurant menu, stock market data, and a weather report.

My curiosity led me to discover and document this work of public art, immersing myself in a story that’s uniquely Shenzhen. I hope it inspires you, too, to stay curious about the city and explore places you won’t find on travel websites but are still well worth visiting.