Sepia

This is an ink painting by Gao Jianfu, a representative figure of the Lingnan school. With his keen perception and consummate technique, he has created an exceptional work of art. At first glance, one might think that is a rather traditional subject of a Chinese dragon emerging from behind a dark cloud. But when one looks closer, it is actually a shoal of squid trying to escape capture by shooting sepia ink into the water. The artist’s ink-wash technique has allowed the ink to diffuse into a nebulous mass. By ingeniously adding a few tentacles and outlines here and there, he has turned it into a vivid scene of action and movement. And rather than painting the details, he has allowed the diffused ink to dominate, turning something merely incidental into something meaningful. The result is a unique and dynamic picture. Perhaps this is what art is all about. By using minimal strokes to optimal effect, the artist has given us unlimited space for imagination. The subject of the painting also demonstrates once again the revolutionary philosophy of the Lingnan school, namely that “anything - just anything - can be a painting".