Chinese Whispers
The Huangshan Mountains in the eastern province of Anhui in China are a breathtaking natural wonder renowned for their exquisite beauty and deep cultural significance. Also known as the "Yellow Mountains," these majestic granite peaks, dotted with ancient temples and winding trails, offer surreal landscapes featuring soaring pine trees and ethereal cloud formations.
Throughout Chinese history, the Huangshan Mountains have inspired generations of poets and artists, giving birth to the "Huangshan School of Painting." They are frequently depicted in traditional Chinese paintings, where artists render the dramatic landscapes using shades of black ink.
The region’s unique mountainous topography, enveloped by forests, creates the perfect conditions for the sea of clouds that frequently descend upon the peaks, cloaking them in mystery. For visual artists, these elusive scenes provide an ideal canvas to compose a monochromatic symphony of shapes, textures, and moods.
Since first discovering these mountains in 2016, French photographer Nicolas Cornet has been captivated by their beauty, returning year after year. With each visit, he seeks new light, fresh compositions, and a renewed sense of reflection and meditation.
Inspired by the generations of artists who have captured its magic, he presents a selection of black-and-white images for this "Chinese Whispers" exhibition, depicting the sea of clouds shrouding this mystical place.
Path into the mist, below Baiyun Stream
Magic brush with a flower at the tip
Pine tree and the three Musketeers
View from the Sea Exploration Pine Terrace
Three Islands peaking
View from Beginning to Believe Peak I
View from Beginning to Believe Peak II
Inside the West Sea Grand Canyon
18 Disciples of Buddha I
Pine tree and Celestial Capital Peak
View from Jade Screen Pavilion
View from Lion Peak
View from Baiyun Stream
View from Lotus Distil Peak
18 Disciples of Buddha II
View from Cloud Dispelling Pavilion II
View of the Heavenly Sea
Uprising Peak panorama
Hunchback Peak and Beginning to Believe Peak
Twin tree, near Yupinglou
Trees in the fog, below White Goose Ridge
Lonely island, in the Heavenly Sea
Pine tree, below Jade Screen Peak
Pine tree, below Lion Peak
Lone tree, near Fairy Walking Bridge