Bird under Tree 

Editor: So, here we have “Bird under Tree,” a drawing, probably in ink, by Ding Yanyong. It gives me this immediate sense of quiet contemplation… like a tiny, everyday drama unfolding. What catches your eye? Curator: Ah, yes, the silent drama! What captures me is how Ding Yanyong, with these wonderfully expressive, almost childlike strokes, creates a universe. The tree isn't just a tree, is it? It's a looming presence, sheltering and perhaps a little threatening, and the bird, singing away... perhaps indifferent of danger lurking there above. It’s so intimate! Doesn’t this tree remind you of your childhood? Editor: Absolutely, there’s a sketchbook feel to it. Does this simplified approach fit into a broader tradition? Curator: You nailed it! Ding was playing with tradition and also playfully rebelling. The scholar-artists of old emphasized rigorous technique, but Ding embraced spontaneity, he seemed determined to find the extraordinary in ordinary, he had his way with life itself and this shines from this work. Is it any wonder why the simplicity in art seems so evocative for all audiences? Editor: So, the rawness is the point! It really makes you wonder what he was thinking and feeling in that very moment. Curator: Precisely! It's a whisper from the artist’s soul, inviting us to contemplate. We could do a whole exhibition around this idea, don't you think? I'll ponder that. And you, go forth and continue your search and love of knowledge. I wonder if my art helps students in the future… Editor: I will definitely never look at a quick sketch the same way! There is always something to discover in this exhibit.