Tian Chi's passion about nature is seen in the recurrent subjects in his paintings, such as hawks, rocks, natural scenery etc. In this somewhat abstract landscape, he places animals including a snake, a monkey, an elephant, an owl and a wild cat among flowers and bushes. The thick undergrowth weaves into a tightly knit, abstract pattern. The intensity and dynamics of the pictorial elements, the large negative space and the scroll-like frame all come together to demonstrate the sensibility of the artist and his awareness of space. The right and left borders being rolled up simulate the format of traditional handscroll, as if only a selective part of the painting was presented and more of it would be revealed as the scroll was fully opened.
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