Chongqing of the Old Times 1997

Wu Guanzhong made this painting of Chongqing with ink, and maybe some color, on paper; the date is unknown, so it feels timeless. The process in this piece is so apparent, almost laid bare, and that's what makes it so exciting to look at. The ink bleeds and pools, forming the shapes of buildings but never really solidifying. Look at the texture of the paper – you can practically feel it. It's rough and absorbent, allowing the ink to spread and create these soft, blurry edges. The paint application is thin, transparent in places, allowing the white of the paper to peek through and create a sense of light and air. There’s a real feeling of density in the townscape – the buildings are closely packed together, almost piled on top of each other. It reminds me of some of the more figurative compositions of Philip Guston. Despite the abstraction, you get a sense of the place, of Chongqing, as a bustling, vibrant city, full of life and energy. It's like the painting itself is breathing, always in process.