Bamboo and Frog 1977

Ding Yanyong made this ink painting, Bamboo and Frog, sometime in the 20th century. I love the way the inky strokes of the bamboo leaves vary from pale grey to deep black. It’s a study in contrasts – spareness and fullness, sharpness and softness. The leaves of the bamboo are depicted with these decisive flicks of the brush, economical but full of energy, while the stalk itself is fainter, almost dissolving into the white paper. The frog down at the bottom is a real character. It's captured with a few quick strokes, but has this wonderful expression, a mix of surprise and curiosity. There's a kind of dialogue going on between the bamboo, which is so upright and elegant, and this little creature, so full of earthy energy. It reminds me a little of the work of Cy Twombly, in the way it balances spontaneity with careful control. For me, this piece captures the constant conversation between nature and art, between tradition and innovation.