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Simon Buxton

@simonbuxton

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𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 𝙊𝙁 𝙇𝘼𝙋𝙄𝙎 𝙇𝘼𝙕𝙐𝙇𝙄 𝙄𝙎 𝙊𝙉𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙈𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙍𝙊𝙈𝘼𝙉𝙏𝙄𝘾 𝙄𝙉 𝘼𝙍𝙏 𝙃𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔.
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9,000 years ago, the first true blue – ultramarine – was discovered in the mountains of northern Afghanistan, mined from lapis lazuli, and carried through history by Sumerians, Egyptians, Persians and Renaissance painters. It is the blue of the Madonna’s robes and of Tutankhamen’s mask.
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For millennia this extraordinary colour has captured imaginations and symbolised divine beauty. Its rarity and cost once made it more precious than gold.
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Last year we journeyed to the ancient lapis mines in remote Badakhshan to meet the miners from the legendary Sar-e-Sang mine. We have used lapis pigment to create a Project Blue paint now in the hands of leading contemporary artists who are producing new masterpieces to be sold at auction. Fashion brands, jewellers, and other creatives are harnessing the power of this colour to help Afghanistan.
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Proceeds from Project Blue will go towards establishing jobs within the culture and heritage sector in Afghanistan, bringing employment and hope to a new generation of young Afghans. Many of these heritage jobs can be done by women, even under the current government’s strict laws.
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𝙅𝙊𝙄𝙉 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙅𝙀𝘾𝙏 𝘽𝙇𝙐𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝘽𝙀 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙏 𝙊𝙁 𝙎𝙊𝙈𝙀𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝘽𝙄𝙂.
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@ben.timberlake_ @bellapollen @sara_helene_fuchs Photo: SI Buxton. @simonbuxton taken in Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan by @simonbuxton

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3 days ago

Project Blue uses the power of art to fund heritage projects in Afghanistan.

When the first artists painted on cave walls, there was no blue. But around 9,000 years ago, miners in the remote mountains of northern Afghanistan found lapis lazuli. They traded the stone onward to Sumer and Egypt, where it was used for ornate objects like Tutankhamun’s deathmask. Lapis was also ground into ultramarine and used to paint the Buddha centuries before Europe touched oil to canvas. When they finally did, it became the blue of Madonna’s robes, and of Michelangelo’s Sistine chapel ceiling. For a time, it was more precious than gold.
In September 2025, Project Blue travelled with the Tavolozza Foundation to Sar-e-Sang, the remote Badakhshan mine that supplied the ancient world’s lapis. Paint made from that stone is now with leading contemporary artists, whose work will be auctioned to fund heritage projects and employment for young Afghans. Photographer @simonbuxton also made the journey, and a selection of images will be on show at Jushin Kaikan, Kyoto, from 9–18 October.

プロジェクト・ブルーは、芸術の力によってアフガニスタンの文化遺産事業を支援します。

最初の芸術家たちが洞窟の壁に絵を描いたとき、そこに青はありませんでした。けれども今から約9,000年前、アフガニスタン北部の人里離れた山々で、鉱夫たちがラピスラズリを発見します。この石は交易によってシュメールやエジプトへと運ばれ、ツタンカーメンの黄金のマスクのような精緻な品々を飾りました。ラピスラズリはまた粉末にされてウルトラマリンとなり、ヨーロッパが油絵具を手にする何世紀も前から、仏陀を描く色として用いられていたのです。ようやくヨーロッパにその色が届いたとき、それは聖母マリアの衣をまとう青となり、ミケランジェロが描いたシスティーナ礼拝堂の天井を彩る青となりました。一時期、それは金よりも尊い色とされていたのです。2025年9月、プロジェクト・ブルーはタヴォラッツァ財団とともに、古代世界のラピスラズリの多くを産出した辺境の鉱山、バダフシャンのサリサングを訪れました。その石からつくられた絵具は、いま世界を代表する現代アーティストたちのもとにあり、彼らの作品はオークションにかけられ、文化遺産事業と若きアフガニスタンの人々の雇用を支える資金となります。写真家サイモン・バクストンもこの旅に同行し、彼が撮影した作品の一部は、10月8日から18日まで京都・重信会館にて展示されます。 by @simonbuxton

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8 days ago

Oman’s otherworldly oases, open oceans, and orange-hued outposts as captured by photographer @simonbuxton

#Oman taken in Oman by @simonbuxton

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a month ago

Join us at Arc’teryx Battersea on Tuesday 11th November for an evening run and talk all about the Petite Trotte à Léon (PTL) — one of the toughest mountain endurance events in the world.

We’ll cover the epic prep, the highs and lows, and the gear that made it possible — perfect inspiration for anyone chasing big goals in the mountains.
📍 Meet 1800 Arc’teryx Battersea
🕕 Run from 1830 | Talk from 1930
🎟️ Reserve your spot via the Arc’teryx events link. taken in Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France by @simonbuxton

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a year ago

Go check out a beautiful collection of incredible prints by some amazing photographers, all organised by @printsforhumanity2025 . Over 90% of funds raised going to some amazing NGOs working on the ground in Sudan and Gaza. Browse, buy and do some good! by @simonbuxton

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a year ago

Despite faraway temptations there's always beauty at home. Midgies permitting. Glorious Skye and Applecross. Thanks @mrsganesh100 #shotoniphone taken in Applecross by @simonbuxton

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2 years ago

Calm before the storm
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#iphone taken in Chania, Crete, Greece by @simonbuxton

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2 years ago

Bonkers light show. Hoping for a replay #shotoniphone taken in London, United Kingdom by @simonbuxton

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2 years ago

For last minute gifts or stocking fillers for those with really big socks, check out my print store for limited edition giclee (faaancy) prints from around the world.
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www.simonbuxton.com
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Order by Dec 16th for guaranteed and free UK delivery. Link in bio and stories...
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10% goes to Choose Love by @simonbuxton

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4 years ago

Oman Explored: moments in Nizwa, Wadi Shab, Jebel Akhdar and Al Hijir via @simonbuxton 🇴🇲 taken in Oman by @simonbuxton

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4 years ago

Canadian perfection with @lianmichelson #gatineau #canada by @simonbuxton

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4 years ago

Never has a kid been less impressed by a shark #daddydaycare #lisbon taken in Oceanário de Lisboa by @simonbuxton

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4 years ago