Hazy moon 2020

Dayou Lu created this artwork called 'Hazy Moon' in ink and colour on paper. The artist, born in 1958, is working in a world where traditional techniques meet modern sensibilities. Consider the cultural significance of the moon in Chinese art and poetry, often linked to longing and reflection. Now, think about the artist's choice to depict a cat alongside it. How does this pairing shift the meaning? Cats are not as prominent as, say, dragons or birds in traditional Chinese art, so the presence of this domesticated animal suggests a contemporary perspective, perhaps commenting on the increasing urbanization and the changing relationship between humans and nature. To fully appreciate this work, one might explore the broader context of contemporary Chinese painting, considering the push and pull between tradition and innovation. The Shanghai Museum offers a rich resource, but delving into art journals and historical accounts of artist collectives could further illuminate the social conditions that shape artistic production in China today. Ultimately, understanding art requires us to be historians, piecing together the cultural and institutional forces that give rise to creative expression.