Five Peaks: Eastern, Western, Southern, Central, Northern, 2009

In his photographic works, Beijing-based artist Michael Cherney embraces Chinese ink painting aesthetics, drawing upon traditional subjects, formats, and style. Captured here five summits from the mountainous area of Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, China. The use of traditional paper as a ground and the scroll mounting format reinforce the work’s painterly quality. The grain of the photograph, too, takes the place of evident brushwork, both signs of an artist’s hand.

© Michael Cherney, photos courtesy of the artist