Shaolin

Published in 2007, Shaolin is a photographic monograph by American artist and journalist Justin Guariglia that documents the lives of the monks living at the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. The book emerged from Guariglia’s extensive access to the monastery, a site widely recognized as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin kung fu. At the time of its release, the work was noted for providing an intimate, humanizing look at a community that had historically been shrouded in myth and strictly guarded from outsiders.

The design and visual narrative of the volume reflect Guariglia’s background in photojournalism, emphasizing stark, high-contrast portraiture and atmospheric landscapes to capture the discipline and isolation of the monks. Thames & Hudson facilitated the international distribution of the collection, bringing Guariglia’s observations to a global audience. The book received critical attention for its aesthetic rigor and its role in archiving a traditional way of life that was increasingly pressured by the rapid commercialization of the Shaolin site during the mid-2000s.