Daniel Hinks
The Sunshiners; Code Red in Green China, 2021

In “The Sunshiners; Code Red in Green China”, Daniel Hinks focuses on fishing culture in China and how the increasing amount of plastic and contamination in the oceans is impacting this way of life and questions old habits and traditions.
Hinks connects the ocean to the massive plastic contamination it contains. He points out the importance of fishing in China and how it is traditionally and economically very important for a lot of people. Sea contamination is like an iceberg. The plastic we can see on the surface of the ocean is the top, but it goes way beyond into the depths of the sea and our bodies. If nothing gets changed, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050.
With his creative process, Hinks tries to avoid a generic portrait of the issue by adding external elements such as gloves, bottles, etc. to connect the photographs with the people, the place and the reality he presents. He also uses acetate sheets and sea water developed negatives to take us back and forth between the reality of the present and the deterioration that is yet to come if we do not adapt and change our ways.
“I take on stories that I truly believe in, something that can peak my interest and curiosity or even angers me, turning that energy outwards into creating work. Looking at the state of the human existence but concentrating on the resilience of the human spirit.”
— Daniel Hinks
Biography
Documentary photographer and visual artist Daniel Hinks is fascinated by the human condition and focuses on stories he truly believes in. He looks at the state of human existence but concentrates on the resilience of the human spirit. He thinks that images can have a big impact on people and create a change. In his work, Hinks intends to bring about understanding between cultures, races, religion and bridge the gap between humans.


Exhibitions / Notable achievements
- Rotterdam Photo 2023, Freedom Redefined, Exhibition and artist talk (NL), 2023
- "The Weekenders; West Society" final selected and at the Lucie foundation International Photography Awards, Book category documentary (US), 2022
- Honourable mention at the International Photography Awards (US), 2019