Eight Immortals 1977

Ding Yanyong made this painting of the Eight Immortals in ink and colour on paper, using expressive brushwork and a light, bright palette to create a scene full of life and movement. I love how Ding uses these fluid, confident lines to define the figures and their garments, filling them in with washes of colour. See how the paint pools and bleeds, creating subtle variations in tone and texture? The materiality of the ink and colour on paper is so present, adding a sense of immediacy and spontaneity to the work. In particular, look at the donkey, where just a few simple strokes bring the animal to life. Ding’s art reminds me of Picasso, both artists share a similar approach to figuration, simplifying and distorting forms to convey a sense of energy and emotion. To me, art is all about embracing ambiguity and leaving room for interpretation.