Mansheng Wang (Chinese, b. 1962),Collection of Rotted Wood, 2019
Chinese ink on paper; mounted as an album 11 × 7 7/8 inches (28 × 20 cm) Purchased with the East Asian Art Revolving Fund, 2019-153-3

Wang Mansheng continues the age-old tradition of collecting and appreciating humble materials from nature by depicting ‘portraits’ of driftwood found in the Hudson Valley. Captured from all angles, nooks and crannies become steep cliffs and deep ravines, showing that even insect-ridden rotted wood can provide inspiration for contemplation and self-reflection.