Young Buddhist Monk Possibly 1997 - 2002

Editor: Here we have Chan Chao's photograph, "Young Buddhist Monk," likely taken between 1997 and 2002. I'm really struck by the directness of his gaze; it’s incredibly serene but also… a little unsettling. What stands out to you about this image? Curator: Unsettling... yes, that's a wonderful word for it. It’s like peering into the eye of a storm, isn't it? The stillness in his face, juxtaposed against the suggestion of wildness in the forest behind. Chao has an ability, I think, to reveal that fine line between discipline and untamed nature, the cultivated mind and the primal self. What do you make of the colors? Editor: The orange robe pops, definitely grabbing your attention, while the greens and browns of the background kind of fade into a blur. Curator: Exactly. It almost feels symbolic, doesn’t it? Like the material world—the forest, with all its earthly distractions—is deliberately blurred, whilst the spiritual journey is brought sharply into focus through that vibrant orange. Editor: So, is Chao trying to tell us something specific about the monk’s journey, then? Curator: I think Chao presents an opportunity for meditation, a springboard if you will. A question posed rather than an answer given. What stories do *you* find yourself writing when you gaze upon him? Editor: That's a great way of putting it! It makes me think less about answers and more about the questions. It’s less about what Chao *tells* us, and more about what he invites us to *ask* ourselves. Curator: Beautifully said. This feels like an invitation for continued reflection, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely. I think I’ll be pondering those questions for a while!