WINNER OF THE 2025 AI PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD
No one will climb the Glass Mountain. My project, “Glass Mountain,” is inspired by Mount Kailash. Revered in ancient texts as the “axis of the universe” and a “stairway to heaven,” this holy peak has never been summited—to climb it is an act of desecration. Through my lens, this project documents my journey to Mount Kailash, exploring the profound connections between nature, faith, climate, and human emotion. The work focuses on the women of the pilgrimage. They form the powerful core of the trek, far outnumbering the men. In Tibetan Buddhism, women are seen as the embodiment of wisdom and energy, symbolizing the force that destroys ignorance and obstacles. They aren’t just subjects to be looked at; they are the physical form of universal energy. Through my photographs, I aim to show the strength and spirit these women find in their faith while documenting their interaction with nature and the changes in its climate.
