The Fun of Fish 

Curator: Ah, what a refreshing splash of ink! I’m immediately drawn to how the artist has used empty space, almost as if the paper itself is breathing. What do you make of it? Editor: It certainly has a sense of ease. We are looking at "The Fun of Fish," a drawing by Ding Yanyong, created using ink. The delicate interplay of lines and forms is quite compelling. Curator: "The Fun of Fish," that's such a whimsical title for what, at first glance, appears to be more about botanical forms, or are they swimming amongst the reeds? It's the looseness of the ink that really gets me. Like a dance between control and letting go. Do you see it evoking classical Chinese painting traditions? Editor: Precisely. The linear structure against the broader washes adheres closely to ink wash painting traditions. If you consider the sparse ink technique of the individual shapes against the stark whiteness of the void, you quickly recognize how important both elements are in building the overall aesthetic. Curator: The boldness of the strokes, juxtaposed with that quiet emptiness. Like haiku. And that little cluster at the bottom right - is it a bug, a quirky little fish, or is it just… Ding Yanyong having a laugh with us? Because to me this drawing, more than anything, embodies the sheer joy of creating. Editor: It encapsulates a kind of reduction to essentials; the interplay between representation and abstraction is superb, urging the viewer to create new dialogues, between perception and reflection. Curator: That’s it – perception and reflection, but also a wholehearted expression that speaks directly to some shared space where simplicity equals profoundness. Editor: It reminds us how an artist captures the essence of existence by working with line and ink, evoking a reality beyond our immediate perception. Curator: Well put. Next masterpiece, please!