Installation view, Ink and Inspiration, Fu Qiumeng Fine Art

Ink and Inspiration
Closing Saturday, December 14, 2024
65 East 80th St, NYC

This is the final week to experience the captivating group exhibition Ink and Inspiration at Fu Qiumeng Fine Art.

At the heart of East Asian painting and calligraphy is a deep understanding of the “brush,” and inseparable from that is the use of “ink.” Together, brush and ink have given rise to artistic traditions that have evolved over thousands of years and continue to influence the modern world today. This dynamic interplay between simplicity and complexity—depth and breadth—creates endless possibilities, much like the ancient game of Go, where simple rules lead to infinite strategies.

Ink and Inspiration features a rich collection of works, spanning traditional and contemporary interpretations of brush and ink. Among the highlights are works by Huang Junbi (1898-1991) and Hu Yefu (1908-1980), representing traditional approaches to brush and ink; an early 1941 work by C. C. Wang, capturing his youthful obsession with mastering brush techniques, juxtaposed with a later piece from his mature years that reveals the evolution of his artistry; a piece by Yu Peng (1955-2014), whose innovative compositions and bold use of color pushed the boundaries of ink painting at the turn of the 20th century; a work by Chen Danqing (b. 1953), renowned for his oil paintings but equally adept at traditional calligraphy, with brushwork that recalls the style of Ming dynasty masters; and finally, a collaborative work of Michael Cherney (b. 1969) and Arnold Chang (b. 1954) representing the modern extension of brush and ink into the contemporary art world, where tradition and innovation meet.

This exceptional exhibition invites viewers to explore the profound legacy of brush and ink, a medium that continues to inspire and evolve across generations. Be sure to catch it before it closes soon!

To learn more, click here.