TITLE: The Look

A participant of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival during a street procession in Phuket, Thailand. This nine-day celebration, observed by the local Chinese community, honors Taoist deities through vibrant processions. It is believed the gods descend to earth, bringing protection, good fortune, and spiritual purification, while firecrackers are used to ward off evil spirits.

AUTHOR: Bart Rubik (Poland)

Polish documentary photographer exploring how faith is expressed through beliefs, ceremonies, rituals, and religious festivals across cultures. He develops the long-term project Stories of the Sacred, documenting humanity’s relationship with spirituality and transcendence. His work also examines broader social issues, focusing on how communities navigate tradition, identity, labor, and change, often in remote environments. His photography has been published and exhibited in Poland.