1987 Nuns, Sanjiang


These four nuns were photographed in their residence in Sanjiang in 1987. Before the photograph, they began removing items from the wall, including robes, buckets, and tools, to create a cleaner appearance. I asked them to leave everything in its original place.

Their belongings reflect the daily rhythms of monastic life: practical, modest, and rooted in community. The mix of personal items and devotional objects offers a fuller understanding of their lived environment than a neatly arranged room could convey.

This photograph provides an authentic record of monastic domestic life among the Dong minority.