root 2015

In Chaokun Wang’s photograph, we see stark white lines sharply contrasted with deep, enveloping black. It's a composition of roots, maybe underwater, or perhaps a complex web unearthed in a dark space. I imagine the artist, Wang, carefully considering the play of light and shadow, patiently waiting for the right moment to capture this intricate network. This piece reminds me that the hidden systems beneath the surface are just as vital as what we see above ground. The thick, bold lines suggest strength and resilience, while the finer, more delicate strands speak to vulnerability and connection. I think of Brice Marden and Cy Twombly, artists whose lines also evoke the feeling of being both hidden and revealed. The negative space is as important as the roots themselves. It’s a balance of presence and absence. Like all good paintings, this photograph reminds us that art is a continuous conversation, with each artist building on what came before.