The Gobi Desert, which stretches across northern China and southern Mongolia, is listed amongst the top 10 largest deserts in the world. Its name means “waterless place”, and temperatures vary from an average of -40ºC in winter, to 45ºC during the summer months. There are strong winds all year round, becoming icy at dusk. Here, Shenzhen-based Jonas Daley (b. 1996) documents the region where Haixi and Dunhuang meet – a landform that took shape more than 75 million years ago. The deep black mountain range – imposing, barren, rocky – stands out against pale orange and pastel pink skies, rising and falling like something from another planet. Daley had to explore the region on foot; the Gobi consists of soft soil, which makes vehicular travel challenging. The artist was born in China and has long been captivated by the country’s diverse landscapes. His signature style merges warm and romantic colour palettes with sublime natural forms. phodaley.com

Image credits:

All images: Jonas Daley, from Black Gobi, (2020). Image courtesy the artist.