Taklamakan Desert, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Northwest China, 2002-2009

For centuries the desert has offered divine inspiration to ascetics who set out in search of meaning. The structures in this work are found at holy sites in oasis villages and along the desert’s edge. Deeply influenced by Sufi Mysticism, a central aspect of Uyghur* spiritual practice is visitation to the tombs of saints. Vulnerable to the elements of nature such as sand and strong desert winds, these fragile monuments are forever changing. Among the materials used are branches turned into gates of passage, scarves sewn by hand into flags, and brooms to sweep away evil spirits. These sculptures rely on their maker’s devotion, their existence marks a personal prayer: a woman’s wish for a child, desire for domestic harmony, or the healing of illness. Pilgrimage to many of these religious sites has changed under Chinese rule, their disappearance linked to modernization and China’s drive to develop the northwest which is rich in natural resources including gas and oil. Collaborating with a local scholar has enabled me to visit many of these sites, and create images that are informed by history, oral tradition, and collective memory.